Second Friday: Cherry Blossoms

Every 2nd Friday of the month through October 2026, the Torpedo Factory Art Center is open late. This month we’re celebrating the DMV’s Cherry Blossom season with an evening of art, music, and creative energy. Enjoy origami crafting, a Japanese Koto performance, and an opening of our new exhibition on the 3rd floor. Exhibition Opening for Sensing Place | Site 3, Third Floor | 7-10 pm Sensing Place brings together our 2025-26 cohort of Post-Graduate Artists-in-Residence. Together their practices consider place not as a fixed location, but as something remembered, recorded, felt, and activated. These artists all push for a noticing of our surroundings, as they respond to places of personal importance – sometimes even responding to Torpedo Factory Art Center itself. Join the artists for a reception of their work with light snacks and refreshments. Koto Musical Performance | Grand Hall | 7-10 pm Listen to the musical stylings of Yuriko Gandolfo of the Washington Toho Koto Society. Origami Paper Folding | Grand Hall | 7-10 pm Join origami artist Michiko Okuma in learning beginner origami folding techniques. Live Drawing with Dina’s Doodles Dina will be creating 5-minute sketches of 2nd Friday visitors! Stop by her table to get yours. @dinas_doodles Printmaking Demo | Grand Hall | 7- 10 pm TFAC artist Samantha Shelton will demonstrate linocut block printing with an etching press and have various printed works available for purchase. USA 250 with the Mobile Art Lab | Grand Hall | 7 – 10 pm Kids will be invited to make a poster for USA 250. These posters will be reviewed by Mayor Gaskins and then sent on to a final national competition. Grown-up Field Trip: Uncovering an African American Neighborhood | Alexandria Archaeology Museum, #327 | 6:30 – 8 pm Ticketed – $15/person; $12/OHA members and volunteers For the 100th anniversary of Black History Month, venture out on a four-part field trip series for adults highlighting African American history around Alexandria. Explore objects and primary sources, dive into conversations, and be ready to be hands-on as you learn more about Alexandria and American history. All field trips are based on ones offered to school-age children, but with extra time, so we can go even deeper! Reserve your ticket. This month’s Field Trip is Hayti: Uncovering an African American Neighborhood at the Alexandria Archaeology Museum.