Coastal: A Deep Dive

Koi longevity bamboo platter by Tracie Griffith Tso of Reston, Va. Fire On Studio 22 at the Torpedo Factory Art Center rides the tide with “Coastal,” an August exhibition of creations aquatic in color, form and brushstroke. Whether seasonal to-dos are at the boathouse, poolside or simply splish-spashy fun, find art that refreshes a space with the unhurried ease of water. Fluid forms in glass, pottery dripping with melding glaze and painted and printed images arrive in cool, restorative shades. Art echoing gentle waves and sandy banks blends seamlessly with minimalist interiors and alabaster kitchen and dining schemes. Yet the sparkle of turquoise sea punctuates with a pop of pigment to wake a room up without overwhelming it. Sting ray trail oil on canvas by Brianna Camp of Fairfax, Va. Waterfront lidded pitcher by Scott Kaye of Arlington, Va. Kilnformed glass echoes the rippling ocean in aqua, forming bowls, trays and pendants studded with bubbles caught floating. Double-dipped tumblers, bowls and servers evoke the rhythm of tidal cycles. Handmade ceramic river rocks speak to wading in gentle waterways that produce smooth, tactile, and grounding surfaces. Earthy vase forms drip with blue hues, making it unmistakably clear what belongs in the beach house. Their quiet authority anchors a mantle, sill or entry table welcoming the summer shoreline indoors. Fire and ice blue woodfire basket by Brian Grow of Temple Hills, Md. Indigo eco-print images offer natural depth, their organic patterns uncannily oceanic. Aquatic landscapes evoke lazy days spent dockside, where time moves at the pace of a current rather than a calendar. Portal paintings of gliding fish, affectionate otters and bobbing turtles exude undersea otherworldliness below the surface. August is the month that belongs entirely to water. Lap it up and bring home a refreshing piece that evokes refreshment long after Labor Day closes the pool and calls everyone back inside. Catch the current, ride it home. 3-D gallery Fire On Studio 22 offers various treatments of glass, pottery and more on the first floor of the Torpedo Factory Art Center 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily and will be open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday August 14 for the Torpedo Factory Art Center’s Late Night; “Coastal” show runs August 1 through 31, 2026. Follow @studio.fireon for gallery updates and artist features.