Photo by Janet Barnett/Gazette Packet

Marian Van Landingham celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Torpedo Factory Art Center July 13 at her home in Old Town. Van Landingham was instrumental in transforming the facility into a landmark art center.

 

“I like to think I made a difference.”

— Torpedo Factory Art Center founder Marian Van Landingham

Marian Van Landingham, a former Virginia State Delegate and champion of the arts, was celebrated at her home in Old Town July 13 as the driving force behind transforming the Torpedo Factory into a nationally recognized art center 50 years ago.

Van Landingham, an accomplished artist, first proposed that the "leaky, drafty, pigeon infested" former military factory be transformed into an artist studio space and art center in 1973.

“This was always intended to be a city project but they were not sure about it from the beginning,” Van Landingham said from her home as she was surrounded by friends. “It was originally proposed as a three-year experiment. We started with about 70 artists and the center was filled from the beginning. We knew it would help improve the waterfront.”

Van Landingham’s vision also included providing regional artists an affordable option to the overpriced studio spaces of the area.

“I think it’s proven itself as a major attraction for the city and at the same time given a lot of artists an opportunity to display and sell their work,” Van Landingham said. “It has absolutely gotten attention nationally as an arts destination.”

An accomplished painter, Van Landingham kept a studio at the Torpedo Factory until this year, when she recently released her space to new artists.

The city has implemented a system where artists need to apply through a juried process in order to secure space at the center.

“With the artists now juried, previous artists need to reapply,” Van Landingham said. “Some were able to stay and some needed to move their studios. It is an awkward situation and has left artists feeling not good about the city. But the artists are keeping it going the best way they can.”

Van Landingham served as the volunteer president for Alexandria's Art League and succeeded in convincing the city to fund the $140,000 needed for the renovation. Artists volunteered and cleaned out the building and created the studio spaces.

The Torpedo Factory Art Center opened in 1974 with 140 artists, which helped trigger the revitalization of the city's waterfront. By 2017, the Art Center had become the top tourist attraction in the city.

In addition to leaving her mark on the city through the Torpedo Factory, Van Landingham served in the Virginia House of Delegates representing the 45th District for 24 years, first running for office in 1982.

“I think young politicians need to be really involved in the city prior to running for elected office,” Van Landingham said. “That means more than just belonging to the Democratic Committee. But Alexandria is a fun place and there are a lot of things to get people interested. Since there is never a guarantee of success, choose something that you like. That is what I did and I like to think I made a difference.”