art | ALXnow - Part 13

Alexandria opens Torpedo Factory artist applications

Published February 17, 2022 at 2:35PM

The Torpedo Factory Art Center in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

There’s been some drama around the future of the Torpedo Factory, but applications are opening next month for local artists looking to get in ahead of those changes.

“The City of Alexandria will be accepting resident artist applications for studio space at the Torpedo Factory Art Center (105 N. Union Street) beginning March 1,” the city said in a press release. “Individuals or groups of up to four artists are invited to apply for the studio jury for a three-year lease in one of the available studios. The deadline to apply is April 19.”

News

Alexandria Library hosting art contest for local teens, with deadline early next week

By Vernon Miles

Published February 11, 2022 at 10:50AM

The Kate Waller Barrett Branch of the Alexandria Library (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Alexandria Library is hosting an art contest for Alexandria teens and the deadline is early next week.

The Teen Winter Creativity Contest is open to all local writers, visual artists and photographers in grades 6 through 12. Entries must be received by the Alexandria Library by 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday (Feb. 15). The entry forms are available at the bottom of the contest page and only one entry is permitted per student in each category.

News

Classical movements tuning up for expansion in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published February 9, 2022 at 3:30PM

Garden portion of The Rectory set up as music venue during the pandemic in 2020. (via Classical Movements)

After nearly two years of hosting outdoor classical music concerts in Old Town, Classical Movements wants to expand their operation.

City Council, which approved Classical Movements’ request to operate last year, will review the application to expand hours and increase seating for the venue at The Rectory at 711 Princess Street at its meeting on Saturday, Feb. 12. Classical Movements wants to increase outdoor seating from 50 to 181, and expand hours from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.

News

Local muralist Patrick Kirwin had to lower his prices, then offers started flooding in

By James Cullum

Published January 28, 2022 at 1:30PM | Updated January 28, 2022 at 2:09PM

Ever since he was five years old, local muralist Patrick Kirwin has been drawing on walls. The artist behind the Dogs Of Del Ray mural has been busy during the pandemic, and his work is mostly positive.

Kirwin says that’s what his clients want these days.

News

Activists allege developer-city collusion in Torpedo Factory plans, but city says it’s more complicated

By Vernon Miles

Published January 19, 2022 at 1:30PM

The Torpedo Factory Art Center in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

A group of activists pushing back against city plans to overhaul the Torpedo Factory Art Center have accused city leaders of working with developers to astroturf a pro-overhaul faction, but city leaders said the goal wasn’t to mislead.

A Change.org petition with 7,694 signers at time of writing has become an online hub for those opposing the city’s plans to reduce artist studio space in the Torpedo Factory and replace it with alternative arts spaces (like glassblowing) or restaurant space. A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request made public by the petition organizers highlighted city emails with and about the “Torpedo Factory for All” initiative spearheaded by developer Route 66 Ventures — one of the developers pushing to lead the overhaul.

News

Morning Notes

By Vernon Miles

Published December 3, 2021 at 5:00AM

Arts commission criticizes proposed changes to Torpedo Factory — “The city’s proposals for the future of the Torpedo Factory Art Center have received criticism from artists, and during its Nov. 16 meeting, the city’s Commission for the Arts fired some warning shots as well.” [Alexandria Times]

Alexandria ranks third in national office conversions — “Number of office-to-apartment conversions: 955” [CNBC]

News

Morning Notes

By Vernon Miles

Published November 17, 2021 at 5:00AM

Man Fatally Struck on Alexandria Sidewalk — “A man died after he was hit by a truck when its driver jumped a sidewalk on Saturday night in Alexandria, Virginia. His family wants to know why the driver is not behind bars and said they think the driver’s actions after the crash may have killed their loved one.” [NBC4]

Alexandria named second-biggest art-buying city in US by Artfinder — “Yesterday the company released a list of the top art-buying cities in the U.S. It appears that Alexandria residents love their art, because our city came in second place, behind Savannah, Georgia.” [Zebra]

News

Morning Notes

By Vernon Miles

Published November 16, 2021 at 5:00AM | Updated November 16, 2021 at 9:08AM

Sudshare app-based laundry service launches in Alexandria — “Sudshare has launched in Alexandria to connect people who hate washing clothes (or don’t have time to do it) with people who are willing to do it for you.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]

Alexandria gets another new mural — “The newest Alexandria mural was unveiled on Veterans Day, Thursday, Nov. 11, at Douglas MacArthur Elementary School.” [Zebra]

News

Morning Notes

By Vernon Miles

Published November 4, 2021 at 5:00AM

City warns of vaccine scheduling issues — “The City is aware that the state’s vaccine scheduling system may be overloaded with demand and service may be intermittent.” [Twitter]

Kismet Modern Indian opens in Old Town Alexandria — “Kismet Modern Indian [opened] for takeout on Tuesday, Nov. 2 starting at 4 p.m. at Alexandria’s Tavern Square, 111 N. Pitt Street.” [Patch]

News

Kitschy new art installation coming to Waterfront Park

By Vernon Miles

Published October 28, 2021 at 2:45PM

I Love You park design, via City of Alexandria

The city has unveiled plans for the next art installation in Waterfront Park, which will be in place at the park for most of next year.

At a meeting of the Park & Recreation Commission Meeting, Diane Ruggiero, deputy director of recreation, parks and cultural activities and two-time ALXnow quotee this week, outlined the initial plans to work with R&R Studio in Miami on a new display meant to evoke joy and happiness after a dour couple of years.

News

Torpedo Factory plans could include cafe, maker-space, and ‘gloryholes’

By Vernon Miles

Published October 26, 2021 at 2:45PM

The Torpedo Factory Art Center in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

The city is looking at options to move things around in the Torpedo Factory and insert some surprises into activity holes on the ground floor.

In a Torpedo Factory Art Center Implementation Strategy Update meeting, Diane Ruggiero, deputy director of recreation, parks and cultural activities, outlined options being reviewed that could lead to some radical changes for the Torpedo Factory.