Celebrate America’s 250th with the Torpedo Factory Art Center! Join us throughout the building, where our celebration will include opportunities to learn about Alexandria’s history, a live band, hands on art-making, and patriotic treats! Every second Friday of the month through October, the Torpedo Factory Art Center is open late! June will celebrate Pride with music and a variety of crafting opportunities. All activities are free to the public.
Crab Shack Music | Grand Hall | 7-10 pm
The local musicians of Crab Shack Music will enliven the evening with a performance of The Great American Songbook.
Making a Circuit Map! | Studio 314 | 7 – 10 pm
Join TFAC Post-Graduate resident Tara Youngborg in Studio 314 to look at historic maps from the United States, and use copper tape, LED lights, and batteries to design your own illuminated circuit-powered map, as well as creating a collaborative illuminated map of Alexandria!
Origami Star Folding | 3rd Floor Landing | 7-9:30 pm
In this workshop, participants will create origami stars inspired by symbolism of the American flag. Through the art of paper folding, participants will express their creativity while reflecting on the values of unity, freedom, and diversity. Each carefully crafted star will become a meaningful work of art that embodies the spirit and ideals of the United States, as well as a special keepsake symbolizing community, connection, and hope.
Printmaking Demo | Grand Hall | 7- 10 pm
TFAC artist Samantha Shelton will demonstrate linocut block printing with an etching press and have various printed works available for purchase.
Native Seed Library & Cookie Painting w/ Alexandria Natural Resources | Grand Hall | 7-10 pm
Join Alexandria’s Natural Resources Team in learning about historically native plants to our region. Then, decorate and enjoy a cookie inspired by local flora!
Old Town Loves Mystery Author Meet & Greet
Author John Wasowicz will be signing and selling books from his Old Town Loves Mystery series including his new work, Patriots Circle, a 4th of July thriller set on America’s 250th birthday.
Time and Place 00:10:00 (The Declaration of Independence) Highlight
Grand Hall | 7-10 pm
Time and Place is periodic, curated exhibitions of temporary public art projects that examine aspects of the city’s history. For 2026, Time and Place is part of Alexandria’s efforts to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. In this spirit, Richmond-based artist Sandy Williams IV created a responsive artwork to the time it takes to read the Declaration of Independence, currently on view at the Alexandria Circuit Court. During 2nd Friday, learn about this public artwork and listen to the audio portion of the project. To read more about the artwork, visit alexandriava.gov/public-art/project/time-and-place-001000-the-declaration-of-independence.
Buried Objects | Grand Hall | 7-10 pm
Objects hold meaning, and time capsules are a way to preserve that meaning for the future. Alexandria is home to a few time capsules, including two with connections to the Torpedo Factory. Learn more about the Alexandria 250th Time Capsule buried in 2000 and, depending on your generation, embrace the nostalgia or oddity of obsolete forms of media used to document the past. What would you put in a time capsule of you?
