art | ALXnow - Part 17

Morning Notes

Published January 27, 2021 at 9:00AM

Beyer Rails Against Congressional Republicans — “I’m really sick of whining about ‘canceling’ from rich and powerful Republicans who tried to cancel our democracy.” [Twitter]

Deadline Extended for Landlords to Apply for Relief Program — The deadline for landlords to apply for the Rent and Mortgage Relief Program, to cover overdue rent or mortgage payments due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has been extended to March 1. Applications that have not yet been submitted can now include requests to cover rent payments through February 2021. Previously submitted applications are also eligible to include rent due in February through a contract amendment process.” [City of Alexandria]

News

Alexandria Artist Turns Pandemic Project into New Business

By James Cullum

Published December 8, 2020 at 2:30PM

Alexandria artist Laurel Prucha Moran started painting watercolors at home during the pandemic, and now she’s so busy painting commissioned pieces that she can’t take on any more Christmas orders.

Moran, a freelance graphic designer for the last 20 years in Alexandria, has five paintings she has to finish by this weekend alone. She recently launched Blue Room Studio, and sells prints of her watercolors as cards and stationary. She’s also married with three kids, and until this year only found time to paint while taking classes at the Torpedo Factory Art Center.

News

The Alexandria Choral Society is Going to Sing About Social Justice

By James Cullum

Published November 17, 2020 at 3:45PM | Updated December 16, 2020 at 3:10PM

Alexandria’s course toward social justice might be long, but hope remains for a better future. That’s the message behind the Alexandria Choral Society’s (ACS) Refuge project, and if all goes as planned the five-movement piece will be performed live next May by members of the T.C. Williams High School choir.

“There’s a lot of mileage that you have to go on that journey for a better future,” Refuge composer Jonathan Kolm told ALXnow. “There’s an uplifting arc of hope, but one that is tempered by difficult circumstances that we find ourselves in.”

News

New Torpedo Factory Plan Calls for Greater Public Engagement

By Vernon Miles

Published October 29, 2020 at 10:30AM

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

The Torpedo Factory Art Center is one of Alexandria’s cultural landmarks of the waterfront. But as the city moves forward with other modernizing changes to the waterfront, it is also turning an eye towards overhauling the Torpedo Factory to be more of a “hands-on” public attraction.

A series of recommendations in a recently released action plan include plans the city hopes will turn parts of the Torpedo Factory into a more engaging artistic space.

News

City Looking on Feedback to Send Art Installation at Waterfront Park to Old Town Pool

By James Cullum

Published October 26, 2020 at 5:05PM

New public art at Waterfront Park (Photo by James Cullum)

The Wrought, Knit, Labors, Legacies art installation at Waterfront Park will be taken down next month at Waterfront Park, and the public is being asked to weigh in on a proposal to temporarily move the installation outside of Old Town Pool (1609 Cameron Street).

The four figurative sculptures by Olalekan Jeyifous are meant to convey Alexandria’s history with African American quilting and textile designs, and was unveiled in March. The installation is the second to occupy the public art space at Waterfront Park, after the Mirror Mirror installation in 2019.

News

ACT for Alexandria is Hosting a Virtual Fundraiser for Artists on Saturday

By James Cullum

Published October 21, 2020 at 11:30AM

With limited public performances, shuttered galleries and cancelled events, the Alexandria art scene has been hit hard this year.

On Saturday (October 24), the Alexandria Arts Alliance and ACT for Alexandria will host a virtual fundraiser for arts organizations and artists in the city.

News

City Releasing Torpedo Factory Draft Action Plan Today

By James Cullum

Published October 16, 2020 at 10:35AM | Updated October 20, 2020 at 11:41AM

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

Alexandria will release a draft action plan for revitalizing the Torpedo Factory Art Center today (October 16), and the proposal on the table includes a front entrance on the waterfront and a more interactive experience for families.

The city took over operations of the Torpedo Factory in 2016, and the art center traditionally sees more than a half a million visitors every year. But Diane Ruggiero, the city’s deputy director for recreation, parks and cultural activities, says that it doesn’t have a family-friendly atmosphere.

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published October 14, 2020 at 9:00AM | Updated October 14, 2020 at 10:37AM

Fall colors along Interstate 95 south in Alexandria (Staff photo by James Cullum)

U.S. Secretary of Education Commends ACPS Superintendent for Sending Child to Private School — “How great that Superintendent Hutchings is able to make this choice for his child. Every family in Alexandria, VA, and across the entire country, should have the same freedom to choose where, when and how their kids learn.” [Twitter]

Beyer Says Trump Lying About Health Care Plan — “rump has no health plan. He’s been lying for five years, always saying there’s this amazing plan just around the corner. Meanwhile he’s suing to get the health law that protects Americans with preexisting conditions struck down by the Supreme Court.” [Twitter]

News

Marty Stuart, Drew Lynch, The Allman Betts Band Headline The Birchmere this Month

By James Cullum

Published October 6, 2020 at 5:00PM

Country Music Hall of Famer Marty Stuart will play The Birchmere on Halloween night, and the celebrated music hall in the city’s Arlandria neighborhood has a full slate of performances all this month.

Stuart, who started his career playing with Johnny Cash’s road band, will play at 7:30 p.m. on October 31.

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published October 2, 2020 at 9:00AM

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

Kamala Harris’ Husband Douglas Emhoff Ecourages Voters in Alexandria — “Excited to welcome @DouglasEmhoff to Alexandria as he works to encourage voters to turn out and make his wife our next Vice President!34K+ ballots have been mailed.Nearly 8K in-person early voters….and we are just getting started!” [Twitter]

Councilman Chapman Takes Tour of Potomac Yard Metro Station Construction –“Some pictures from my tour this morning of the construction site of the Potomac Yard Metro!” [Facebook]

News

Del Ray’s Art on the Avenue Will Be Virtual This Year

By James Cullum

Published September 23, 2020 at 5:00PM | Updated September 23, 2020 at 5:18PM

Del Ray’s Art on the Avenue festival usually draws hundreds of artists and upward of 75,000 visitors along Mount Vernon Avenue, but this year the celebration will be virtual.

“This is out 25th year, and it’s even more heartbreaking we can’t do it in-person,” festival founder Pat Miller told ALXnow.