Torpedo Factory Art Center

The Torpedo Factory Art Center is an art venue in Old Town Alexandria situated on the Potomac River waterfront. The three-story building houses approximately 70 working artist studios alongside exhibition galleries open to the public.

The building began as a naval weapons factory in 1918 and manufactured torpedoes during World War II. It was converted into an arts facility in the 1970s and has since served as workspace and exhibition space for artists.

The center brings together working artists across different crafts who display their process openly in shared studio spaces. Visitors can watch creative work happening in real time throughout the building.

The center sits along the waterfront with accessible walkways and multiple levels connecting the exhibition spaces. Plan to spend several hours exploring the studios and browsing the artwork available for purchase from the creators.

Before becoming an art space, the building stored Smithsonian dinosaur skeletons, Congressional documents, and records from the Nuremberg Trials. It served as an unexpected vault for national archives during and after wartime.

Location: Virginia

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

Fee: No

Address: North Union Street

Website: https://torpedofactory.org

GPS coordinates: 38.80470,-77.03970

Latest update: December 8, 2025 20:01