Comments on: Akron Art Museum http://elginite.org/blog/2008/04/29/akron-art-museum/ Mon, 13 Oct 2008 08:54:38 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 By: RS http://elginite.org/blog/2008/04/29/akron-art-museum/#comment-44837 RS Thu, 01 May 2008 18:04:10 +0000 http://elginite.org/blog/2008/04/29/akron-art-museum/#comment-44837 The watch factory could have been amazing for a lot of stuff: ArtSpace Elgin (housing for artists), lofts, galleries, studios, even a museum like Mass MoCA. We demolished the watch factory in I think 1966. Just a few years after that, people in Alexandria Virginia had a similar problem: a big empty factory. Instead of demolishing it, though, they turned it into the <a href="http://www.torpedofactory.org/history.htm" rel="nofollow">Torpedo Factory Art Center</a>. "In 1969, the City of Alexandria bought the complex of buildings from the Federal Government...Marian Van Landingham proposed a project that would renovate the building into working studio spaces for artists. Van Landingham was President of the Art League at the time...Her proposal was endorsed by the Commission. ...and the Torpedo Factory Artists' Association was born. Work began on the building in May of 1974, with artist volunteers and City personnel working together to remove the debris of 55 years. Bulldozers and firehoses were initially needed and 40 truckloads of debris were eventually removed. Studio walls were built, electricity and plumbing expanded. The entire exterior was repainted. By July, artists had converted the huge space into a complex of bright and clean studios. Most of the studio spaces had been reserved by that time from a list of juried artists. On September 15, 1974, the Torpedo Factory Art Center opened to the public." The watch factory could have been amazing for a lot of stuff: ArtSpace Elgin (housing for artists), lofts, galleries, studios, even a museum like Mass MoCA.

We demolished the watch factory in I think 1966. Just a few years after that, people in Alexandria Virginia had a similar problem: a big empty factory. Instead of demolishing it, though, they turned it into the Torpedo Factory Art Center.

“In 1969, the City of Alexandria bought the complex of buildings from the Federal Government…Marian Van Landingham proposed a project that would renovate the building into working studio spaces for artists. Van Landingham was President of the Art League at the time…Her proposal was endorsed by the Commission. …and the Torpedo Factory Artists’ Association was born.

Work began on the building in May of 1974, with artist volunteers and City personnel working together to remove the debris of 55 years. Bulldozers and firehoses were initially needed and 40 truckloads of debris were eventually removed. Studio walls were built, electricity and plumbing expanded. The entire exterior was repainted. By July, artists had converted the huge space into a complex of bright and clean studios. Most of the studio spaces had been reserved by that time from a list of juried artists. On September 15, 1974, the Torpedo Factory Art Center opened to the public.”

]]> By: Paula http://elginite.org/blog/2008/04/29/akron-art-museum/#comment-44836 Paula Thu, 01 May 2008 17:29:50 +0000 http://elginite.org/blog/2008/04/29/akron-art-museum/#comment-44836 When I think about the beautiful buildings that used to be in Elgin and are no longer, I wonder about the minds of those that wished them torn down. That watch factory would have made awsome loft condos and you are right, the post office would have been a lovely Art museum. I am hoping for good things for the Cook Building. I liked your idea about recruiting Judson College making use of it. When I think about the beautiful buildings that used to be in Elgin and are no longer, I wonder about the minds of those that wished them torn down. That watch factory would have made awsome loft condos and you are right, the post office would have been a lovely Art museum. I am hoping for good things for the Cook Building. I liked your idea about recruiting Judson College making use of it.

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