art | ALXnow - Part 6

What’s next for Potomac Yard and Old Town North?

Published August 28, 2024 at 4:15PM | Updated August 29, 2024 at 9:47AM

Alexandria Economic Development Partnership CEO Stephanie Landrum speaks at the announcement of a new arena for the Washington Wizards and Capitals in Potomac Yard in Alexandria, Dec. 13, 2023 (staff photo by James Cullum)

On the eve of an annual report on the city’s economy from the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership, ALXnow sat down with AEDP CEO Stephanie Landrum to discuss the future of development in three areas of the city: Carlyle, Potomac Yard and Old Town North, and the Landmark-Van Dorn corridor. These will be broken up into a multi-part series covering each location.

Potomac Yard and Old Town North are two of the major hubs of upcoming development in Alexandria, but some of the city’s ambitious plans for the neighborhoods have both hit stumbling blocks in recent years.

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‘Chalk-A-Block’ event coming to Old Town North next month

By Vernon Miles

Published August 26, 2024 at 2:50PM

Chalk art from Chalk Walk 2022 (image courtesy Old Town North Alliance)

Chalk artists will be turning Old Town North sidewalks and parking lots into a canvas next month for “Chalk-A-Block”.

The event is hosted by the Old Town North Alliance and is scheduled for 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 29.

News

Former Waterfront Park artwork being moved to permanent home at Braddock Road Metro station

By Vernon Miles

Published June 27, 2024 at 3:40PM

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

Artwork formerly located at Waterfront Park and exploring the complex relationship between Alexandria’s economy and slavery is making a return: this time to a new permanent home at the Braddock Road Metro Station.

The artwork “Wrought, Knit, Labors, Legacies” by artist Olalekan Jeyifous opened in Waterfront Park in March 2020 and is inspired by “Alexandria’s rich and complicated industrial and merchant history.” The artwork was relocated to the Old Town Pool at 1609 Cameron Street, but the location was temporary until a more permanent location could be found, in part due to 2-5 years of construction planned at the Old Town Pool.

News

New mural coming to the Torpedo Factory exterior later this month

By Vernon Miles

Published June 11, 2024 at 11:05AM

Torpedo Factory Loading Door concept art (image via Silas Baker/City of Alexandria)

A new mural is coming to the exterior of the Torpedo Factory Art Center.

The new mural, mixing abstract elements with American Dogwood flowers, is set to be installed on the Union Street-facing loading dock later this month.

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Alexandria City High School art students helped with new mural at the Bradlee Shopping Center

By James Cullum

Published May 31, 2024 at 10:50AM

The new mural at the Bradlee Shopping Center (staff photo by James Cullum)

Peace, community involvement and childhood innocence are the themes of the new mural at the Bradlee Shopping Center.

Alexandria City High School art students helped muralists Nicole Bourgea and sef.01 create the mural depicting three kids surrounded by flowers and childlike drawings. Seven students helped with the design and worked after school last month on the project.

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Notes: D.C. artist chosen for next spring’s public art at Alexandria’s Waterfront Park

By ALXnow.com

Published May 17, 2024 at 9:11AM

The 'I Love You' art installation with all bulbs lit at Waterfront Park in Old Town. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Good Friday morning, Alexandria!

🌦️ Today’s weather: Expect a slight chance of showers after 2pm with a partly sunny sky and a high near 75. The east wind will blow at 3 to 7 mph, with a 20 percent chance of precipitation. Friday night, showers will be mainly after 2am with a low around 59 and a southeast wind at 5 to 7 mph. There’s an 80 percent chance of precipitation and new precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch are possible.

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What’s Up in Alexandria This Weekend: Old Town Festival of Speed & Style, live music and more

By Ryan Belmore

Published May 16, 2024 at 1:30PM

A 1953 Morgan at the Old Town Festival of Speed and Style on May 22, 2022. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Here’s a roundup of all the events, live music, and entertainment happening around Alexandria this weekend; enjoy!

Are you organizing an event? Submit events to ALXnow.

News

Grammy-winning saxophonist David Sanborn dies before final show at The Birchmere

By James Cullum

Published May 15, 2024 at 2:30PM

Saxophonist Davis Sanborn (via Facebook)

Six-time Grammy-winning jazz saxophonist David Sanborn died on Sunday, just days before his scheduled appearance at The Birchmere in Alexandria.

Sanborn, who was 78, died after an extended battle with prostate cancer “with complications,” according to an announcement on his Facebook page. The announcement said the artist had maintained a regular touring schedule despite battling the cancer since 2018, and that he had dates schedules into next year.

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Carr Properties says construction starting this year on Old Town North development and dance nonprofit home

By Vernon Miles

Published May 10, 2024 at 2:55PM | Updated May 10, 2024 at 7:57PM

901 N. Pitt Street rendering (image courtesy The Carr Companies)

(Updated 7:50 p.m.) An anticipated new development in Old Town North could be kicking off in the next few months.

Austin Flajser, President and CEO of The Carr Companies, said development is getting started on preparing to start development on 901 N. Pitt Street, with the project construction starting later this year.

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What’s Up in Alexandria This Weekend: Del Ray Dog Fest, Spring Garden Market, Spring Oysterfest, and more!

By Ryan Belmore

Published April 11, 2024 at 2:30PM | Updated April 11, 2024 at 5:14PM

The Dogs Of Del Ray mural outside stomping ground is expected to be finished by mid-May. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

Here’s a roundup of all the events, live music, and entertainment happening around Alexandria this weekend; enjoy!

Are you organizing an event? Submit events to ALXnow.

News

Alexandria opens grant applications for local artist organizations

By Vernon Miles

Published February 6, 2024 at 2:55PM

Sculpting at The Art League (image via The Art League/Facebook)

Alexandria’s Office of the Arts has opened grant applications to the Foundant! Annual Arts Programs.

The grants are designed to help local arts organizations, artists, and service providers, according to the application, with each application reviewed by a Grant Task Force.