Collision Damages Beloved Old Town Mural Beyond Repair

ALEXANDRIA, VA — If you've walked past the Torpedo Factory Art Center on North Union Street in Old Town, chances are you've spotted the loading dock door mural. But after a crash earlier in 2021, the mural is damaged beyond repair, prompting replacement of the door and mural.

The mural, Beaded Curtain, by artist Erin Curtis, has been on the loading dock door of the Torpedo Factory Art Center since 2016. A depiction of a beaded curtain, somewhat ironically on the aluminum loading dock exterior, the mural became one of Alexandria's favorite photo opps. According to a news release from the Torpedo Factory, the Beaded Curtain mural was meant to be temporary and exceeded the original three-year timeline.

The door is set to be replaced in August, and the city's Public Art Program will put out a call for entries for a new mural later in 2021. A new mural is expected on the loading dock door in spring 2022.

The Torpedo Factory Art Center will honor the mural during The Late Shift: REFRESH on Aug. 13 at 7 p.m. Attendees can join a hands-on project focused on the mural with formal remarks at 9 p.m. An artist talk in Target Gallery at 7:30 p.m. will precede the remarks, and the building will be open to visitors through 10 p.m.

Residents are encouraged to share their photos of the Beaded Curtain mural on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter with hashtags #torpedofactory and #artsALX throughout August.