Torpedo Factory Art Center Founder Honored With New Gallery Name

ALEXANDRIA, VA — A gallery at the Torpedo Factory Art Center now nears the name of Marian Van Landingham, the art center's founder and a working artist. The Torpedo Factory Artists' Association renamed it Van Landingham Gallery to honor Van Landingham for founding the art center and serving the artists' association for years.

A reception honoring Van Landingham and the Torpedo Factory Art Center’s 45th anniversary will be held Thursday, Sept. 12 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Van Landingham Gallery on the third floor. RSVPS are requested. Revival, her new solo show featuring fire enamels and paintings, is open at the Van Landingham Gallery from Sept. 3 to 30.

Van Landingham founded the Torpedo Factory Art Center in 1974. She went on to represent the 45th district in the Virginia House of Delegates from 1982 to 2006 and continued to be a working artist with a studio at the Torpedo Factory. After joining the Art League, she followed it to Alexandria when it moved its headquarters in 1971.

After becoming president of the Art League in 1973, the organization was ready for a larger space. So began her quest to transform the old factory used to produce torpedoes in World War I into a space for artist studios and the Art League. Today the Torpedo Factory Art Center is a key tourist attraction at the Alexandria waterfront.

Van Landingham was inducted as an Alexandria Living Legend in 2008. The Van Landingham Gallery is open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and until 8 p.m. on Thursdays. The Torpedo Factory Art Center is located at 105 North Union Street, Alexandria, VA.