on a high note
ARTfactory
Keeping Life Colorful During the Pandemic By Emily Carter
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ocated on Battle Street in Manassas, in the old Hopkins Candy Factory, ARTfactory is making some sweet creations — but not of the candy variety.
Art History Originally known as the Center for the Arts of Greater Manassas/Prince William County, ARTfactory was founded in 1984 by artists and lovers of art who wanted a place to congregate and express themselves. They started with a few visual art classes, added dance classes and theatre classes and now have an art gallery on the first floor of their building. “I think the biggest thing is that at the ARTfactory, we are open and welcoming to anyone and everyone. And that vibe is what we try to put out in the community,” said ARTfactory Executive Director Beverly Hess. “Our mission is to provide a safe haven for creative expression and discovery. When you come to the ARTfactory, and people come from wherever they are in their life at that point in time, it's a place to come in and explore whatever it is you want to try next.” In March 2020, ARTfactory rebranded themselves. They changed their name and redesigned their website by adding bright colors that pay homage to the candy factory. The official rebranding date was Friday, March 13.
Art Classes ARTfactory has classes for everyone, no matter their interest. Classes and workshops are offered for everyone age 5 and up.
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February 2021 prince william living
Visual art classes teach students graphic design, drawing and sculpture making. People of all ages can act in ARTfactory’s three theatre companies. Students from 8 to 18 can perform in the Pied Piper Theatre. Rooftop Productions features the work from adults in the community, and Past Time Prime Time Players teaches classes to and features performances from senior members. To get the blood flowing, ARTfactory offers ballroom dance classes and line dance. In the summer, ARTfactory has summer camps for children and teenagers that educate them in theatre and visual arts. At the end of the camp, family and friends can attend a performance put on by the camp members or a reception featuring the art created in the visual art camp. At the Harris Pavilion, free concerts are offered all summer long featuring musical artists from around the state. In the past, they’ve had jazz, bluegrass and Argentinian Latin Tango groups perform. If you still need to quench your global thirst, visit ARTfactory’s Caton Merchant Family Gallery that has featured art from around the world, as well as from local artists. ARTfactory has also developed an educational outreach program to help students in school, Arts on the Go™. To improve students’ SOL scores, Arts on the Go™ uses STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) modules to help students retain information they are learning in their classes. Each module stays at a school for two weeks before rotating to another school. In order to give their students the best art education they can get, ARTfactory hires professionals from all branches of the art
