Every Second Friday
7 – 10 pm, FREE
Enjoy gallery talks, artist receptions, music, live performances, hands-on artmaking, and three floors of open artists’ studios.
Shake off the frost and get moving this winter. Celebrate the art of motion with kinetic activities and performances by artists and local vendors. Bring your friends and start the year off creatively.
FREE, ALL AGES
RSVP
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
ON VIEW: TARGET GALLERY: 2018 POST GRAD RESIDENTS SHOW
Target Gallery presents the Torpedo Factory Art Center’s 2018 Post-Graduation Residents: Alexis Gomez, Kelly Johnston, Lyric Prince, and Sara Roberts. These four artists have each had three months in our Residency studio, developing new work and interacting with the public. For this culminating exhibition, each artist displays some of their best work they made during their time here.
OPENING RECEPTION: MASON ART PROJECT SPACE
The Torpedo Factory Art Center welcomes George Mason University’s School of Art MFA Program as they embark on a 6-month project space at the Art Center. Through faculty led discussions and assignments, the program will encourage students to explore and experiment with topics that emphasize new technologies, increased sustainability efforts, improved accessibility to marginalized members of societies, and other socially relevant topics. In doing so, faculty and students will experiment with ideas and potential solutions that invite cross collaboration amongst disciplines as a means of creating art and design that addresses and promotes awareness of such topics. The studio will serve as the exhibition space for these finalized works.
The MFA Candidates:
Andi Benge, Jorge Banales, Jayne Matricardi Burke, Brigitte Caramanna, Sam Fedorova, Kate Fitzpatrick, Emily Fussner, Erica Hopkins, Jennifer Lillis, Matt Nolan, Kevin Wallace, Michael Walton
Currently On View:
“Welcome to Andiland”
Installation & Performance Piece by Andi Benge
@andilandart
Opening Reception: Friday January 11 (Late Shift: Art in Motion)
On view through February 2019
Artist’s Project Statement
“Working in several media, I use a variety of campy materials to create a whimsical plastic wonderland of immersive installations. Through performance I embody my alter ego Bunni who invites viewers into a dreamworld otherwise known as Andiland. Here, vulnerable female nudes are surrounded by playful objects and bright colors drawn from a tumultuous adolescence. Beyond the sweet surface lies a critical attempt to confront the taboos surrounding female sexuality and celebrate it’s dangerous archetypal allure.”
About Andi Benge
Andi Benge is a first year Graduate student at George Mason University. She received her BFA in Painting and Drawing from Kansas State University, where she was awarded several grants and scholarships, including the Dale Weary Clore Scholarship. Her work has been featured in many national exhibitions including THE LITTLE BIG ART SHOW at La Bodega Gallery in San Diego, CA, INK ’n’ IRON KULTURE KLASH ART SHOW on the Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA, a FIRST FRIDAY solo show at Bailiwick in Anchorage, AK, and has work in many international private collections.
About George Mason University’s School of Art MFA Program
George Mason University’s School of Art MFA Program seeks to develop in students a self-directed studio practice, derived simultaneously from an earnest personal search and an engagement with contemporary discourses and practices. Housed in a small community of studios, the MFA program offers an environment that fosters the deepening of a student’s individual practice in the context of shared experience and dialogue with peers. Daily studio practice is supplemented by courses in research, writing, and contemporary critical theory. Regular formal critiques with peers and faculty track student progress, while training them to articulate ideas relevant to the production of their work. Visiting artists, monthly trips to galleries, and suggested supplementary lectures at local venues contribute to the student’s ability to contextualize his or her own work and process within the larger conversation of contemporary studio practices.
OPENING RECEPTION: POST GRAD STUDIO (319): WINTER 2019 POST GRAD STUDIO RESIDENT – MICHAELA JAPEC
Welcome the first Post Grad Resident of 2019 to the Torpedo Factory Art Center. Michaela Japec recently graduated from George Mason University in 2018 with a Bachelor of Fine Art Degree. She is the first of 4 artists selected for this residency program. Stop by her studio from 7-10 pm to meet the artist and see her work in person.
Artist’s Statement
Michaela Japec struggles, as many other people do, with body image. In recent years, Michaela has begun to use her insecurities as fuel for her artistic work. She now explores her own perceived physical flaws in her creative process, revealing and highlighting these “flaws” in her work. Michaela finds that exposing her anxieties, which have haunted her since a young age, is healing for both herself and the viewer. Creating art featuring her physical imperfections allows others to see their own flaws in a more accepting, tangible, and beautiful way.
About Michaela Japec
Michaela Japec was born in Alexandria VA. Although being born in the States, she grew up in a small village in Sweden, named Forssjö and didn’t move back to VA until 2008. Michaela graduated from George Mason University in 2018 with a Bachelor of Fine Art Degree. She has exhibited in Virginia with Art League Gallery in 2013, Delray Artisan Gallery in Spring of 2013 and 2014, Richard J. Ernst Community Cultural Center in Spring of 2016, and she participated in the all female Inner Demons exhibition at Epicure Cafe gallery in Summer 2018. Outside of school Michaela teaches an Art’s Foundation course to to kids through George Mason Arts Academy on Saturdays, she also takes portrait commissions to help finance her schooling.
OPENING RECEPTION: PRINTMAKERS INC (325): “8 TONES” EXHIBITION – SAMANTHA SHELTON
Printmakers Inc presents a new exhibition in the gallery space of their co-op studio. Artist Samantha Shelton will have a selection of etchings with aquatint and softground techniques created over the last 5 years at Discover Graphics on exhibit from 2 – 21 Jan 2018. Her artist style is both graphic and illustrative with a flare of magic realism. Called “8 Tones”, this exhibition features prints etched on zinc plate using aquatint – which gives a maximum tonal range of 8 shades ranging from the lightest grey to black.
About Samantha Shelton
Many of my adolescent summers were spent apprenticing in my uncle’s tile company in Arizona, where I learned to glaze ceramic tiles and compose wall murals and mosaics. These mosaics heavily influenced my work with geometric patterns. My artistic influences include Art Deco printmaker Louis Icart and Art Nouveau lithographers Alphonse Mucha and Raphael Kirchner.
“ART IN MOTION” HIGHIGHTS
PRANA VISUALIZED: Sound, Light, and Movement Alchemy
All night in our main space, visitors will be invited to experience a fully-immersive art project through high-vibrational sound, projection art, and intentional movement.
There will be performance presentation at 7 pm, followed by a yoga movement class and interactive free form later in the evening.
Presentation: 7PM
Yoga Class: 8PM
Interactive Free Form: 8:45 – 10PM
To sign up for the FREE yoga class at 8 pm, RSVP here
About Prana Visualized
Prana Visualized is an interactive performance art piece that alchemizes sound, visual, and movement to allow participants to interact with Prana – the universal energy that regulates the entire universe and our lives.
Projections and Production by: Jake New
Sound by: Jake Filderman
Choreographed Movement: Sanam Emami
Yoga led by: Jess Geeoh
Graphic Design by: Sanam Emami
PK MOVE: THE ART OF PARKOUR
Learn the art of parkour at the Art Center! In this indoor hands-on activity, you’ll try some of the basics of parkour in a safe, supportive environment while hearing more about PK Move’s mission to empower all body types. Free and fun for all ages.
About PK Move
PK Move shares the transformative power of parkour. A unique “gym without walls,” PK Move comes to you. We provide parkour training that’s specifically designed to meet the needs of people who may feel uncomfortable in a gym. We serve senior citizens, cancer survivors, Title I school students, veterans, those with learning differences and others.
LOCAL MOTION STUDIO: AERIAL HAMMOCK DEMONSTRATIONS
Aerial hammocks are used in a form of yoga designed to strengthen and balance your body while also offering a fun and safe acrobatic approach to fitness. Try out one of the hammocks in our Grand Hall under the watchful eye of an instructor. Components include basic stretching, sitting, standing, conditioning and inversion poses on the hammock.
Benefits include but not limited to:
- spinal decompression
- builds strength & core stability
- increased flexibility
- increased joint rotation and mobility
About Local Motion Studio
Local Motion Studio is a beautiful, eco-friendly space dedicated to the art of movement. We offer a variety of classes to encourage people to move every day, and to have fun doing it. Our instructors provide creative and effective classes that are open to students at all levels, and they can help you amplify or modify as needed. We offer aerial, barre, yoga, Pilates, cardio, ballet, modern dance and more.
LOCAL MOTION PROJECT:
Learn more about this exciting non-profit focused on empowering communities through the language of dance. Whether it is their family-friendly workshops and classes or their school outreach dance integration program, there are many opportunities for you and your loved ones to get motivated and start your 2019 on the right foot.
About Local Motion Project
Local Motion Project’s mission is to bring meaningful experiences to people’s lives through the art of dance and other movement arts.
- Offering a progressive dance curriculum that emphasizes the creative and collaborative processes.
- Providing increased opportunities for children to participate in dance through our dance integration residencies and by offering tuition assistance for our dance school.
- Facilitating professional development workshops for educators.
- Presenting meaningful showcases and performances that strive to make authentic connections with audiences and participants.
MIND THE MAT: FACTORY FLOW
Stop by Mind the Mat’s table in the Grand Hall to learn more about this Alexandria-based yoga studio, and sign up for their class at the Art Center at next month’s Factory Flow yoga class on Saturday February 2.
About Mind the Mat
Mind the Mat Pilates & Yoga was founded in 2008 by Megan Brown and Sara VanderGoot.
Mind the Mat is committed to hiring instructors with excellent teaching skills and credentials. All of our instructors hold certifications in Pilates and/or yoga and many of them have additional training in physical therapy, nutrition, nursing, massage therapy, prenatal and/or postpartum fitness, therapeutics (yoga/Pilates for rehabilitation), and more!
Mind the Mat was created to spotlight individual teaching styles and to celebrate unique backgrounds and expertise. Our instructors and clients make Mind the Mat feel like home. Every teaching style is unique.
About Factory Flow
On the first Saturday of every month, find inner peace and creativity with this early-morning series. It’s a lovely way to start the day, focused on art, health, and imagination. Sessions feature sound artists, yoga teachers, dance instructors, and more.
HANDS-ON WORKSHOP WITH THE MOBILE ART LAB
Join Alexandria’s very own Mobile Art Lab for a hands-on art workshop celebrating Art in Motion. Free and fun for all ages!
This month, they are collaborating with FutureMakers – Coaches, creative tech & pop-up labs for young makers, educators & schools. DC, MD and VA.
Make a Drawbot!
Engineer a machine that can move and draw! Participants activate the engineering design process to transform vibrating motors, batteries, and art materials into a personalized, take-home machine that can move and draw! Watch how all participants become highly engaged, focused, and work with their peers to problem solve. Everybody gets to show off their Drawbot’s moves on the paper “dance floor” and educators learn how this activity can be leveraged into future exploration of creative technology and problem solving.
WINTER SEASONAL ART INSTALLATIONS
The Torpedo Factory Art Center presents the work of artists Edgar Endress and Marly McFly for our Winter Seasonal Art Installations on view throughout the Art Center from December 9, 2018 – February 25, 2019. The Winter Seasonal Art Installations exhibition was curated by Jaynelle C. Hazard, who is the Director of Exhibitions at the Workhouse Art Center. Check them out in the Grand Hall and on the smokestack on the 3rd floor.
