Some Torpedo Factory Artists To Lose Studios After New Jurying Process

ALEXANDRIA, VA — The first round of re-jurying artist studios at the Torpedo Factory Art Center was completed, and 13 incumbent artists were not offered a studio.

The results of 2022 re-jurying are detailed in a jury report released in July. All artists with studios at the Torpedo Factory Art Center will be rejuried, with the exception of 1974 founding artists and their studiomates. The new jury and re-jury process is part of the Torpedo Factory Factory Art Center vibrancy and sustainability plan adopted by Alexandria City Council in December 2021.

This is the first time re-jurying is happening for current artists in the art center's 48-year history. Studios are being re-juried based on the time since the artist's last jury. The Group A studios re-juried this year have artists who were juried between 1975 and 2003. Group B studios with artists juried between 2004 and 2017 will be re-juried in 2023, and group C studios with artists juried between 2018 and 2021.

According to the jury report, 78 artists applied for studio space, and 26 were chosen for studio space. The selected artists include 15 who currently don't have Torpedo Factory studio space and 11 who currently have studios. There were 13 artists who currently have space who were not chosen.

All incumbent artists who were not chosen were offered the option of being an "artist pro tem" to sublease space. Artists pro tem can also take part in Torpedo Factory Art Center programming and may obtain a studio if one becomes available based on ranking.

Leases will end Sept. 30 for incumbent artists not offered future studio space. In addition to offering those artists the option of being an artist pro tem, they can participate in a free one-year coaching program from Art Hero, LLC to help with their transition. Artists can also apply again, as the open call for artists process will happen annually.

The call for resident artists opened Feb. 14 with applications due April 19. The 2022 jurors who reviewed applications and selected artists included Zoë Charlton, M.F.A., artist and professor of art at American University; Jaynelle Hazard, M.A., executive director and curator of Tephra Institute of Contemporary Art; Jack Rasmussen, Ph.D., director and curator of the American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center; and John Ruppert, M.F.A., artist and professor of art at the University of Maryland.

Artists whose applications are accepted receive a three-year lease of publicly subsidized rent of $16.88 per square foot annually when new leases begin in October. This rent covers art center costs and professional development opportunities, and the artists can sell their art with no commission taken out. Rent will also increase by 3 percent annually, according to the Torpedo Factory Art Center's website.