I love things that are free and easily accessible. Welcoming community spaces, kid-friendly with lots of room, maybe you can even get a beer nearby. If I find one or two of these things together, I’m usually pretty excited. But to find ALL of these things in one place– now that is amazing. Enter: The Workhouse Arts Center. It truly may be the DMV’s most unique art center. Let’s learn more…
What’s the Story Here?
When I first moved to the DMV, I would drive by the Workhouse Arts Center without really registering what it was. Located in Lorton, VA, about 30 minutes south of D.C., it is a sprawling campus with some intimidating looking buildings. But once I took a look around, I was amazed by all there is to discover.
On the campus, you can learn about the center’s fascinating history as an active correctional facility from the early 1900s to 2001 (I had no idea it closed so recently, read more about it here). There is also an interesting history about the suffrage movement at the Lucy Burns Museum onsite.
Is the Art Center Kid-friendly?
Oh, I’m glad you asked. Let me lay it out for you. The campus has a large field in the middle that is an amazing space for kids to RUN out all that energy. The LOVE sign creates a nice photo-op, and there is a seasonal pavilion for shows and performances.
The field is flanked on each side by a row of buildings. Within each of those buildings is a specific art studio/gallery, etc. where you can discover ceramics, glasswork, painting, photography, textile work, and more.
You can peruse the galleries at your leisure during their open hours. I’ve done this with my toddler and at each stop, people chatted and engaged with her. No one (except me) was concerned that she may break something; I felt very welcomed. Items are available for purchase from the artists. Even when galleries aren’t open, you can still come to the campus space and just hang out!
Let’s Talk More About the Art
Alright, art is my jam. I won’t try to hide it. And boy, does this place give you options. Like mentioned above, the Workhouse covers nearly every visual medium and more. Anyone can sign up to take a class at beginner to advanced levels. There are individual workshops and series of classes for adults and kids alike (I have taken my daughter to a drop-in music class, and I personally am deep in their ceramics program).
There is also a small theater actively showing performances, as well as a numerous amount of physical activities offered, like dance, yoga, Pilates, gymnastics, and more (they fall under “the art of movement”– cute, right?). They even offer sound bathes… So, in short, it is a lot to cover, right? You really have to explore it yourself.
Ready to Unwind with a Tasty Beverage?
After all that exploring, it’s time to relax and refuel. Directly across from the main field is the newly opened Bunnyman Brewing Cafe. This cafe is an offshoot of a beloved local brewery in the Fairfax/Burke area and has immediately become a hit. The outdoor space is a little small, but it still does the trick. There is seating, some grass and mulch for the kids to dig in (IYKYK), a cornhole set-up, and even a semi-functioning piano for people to play with.
The indoor area has seating on two floors and a pour-your-own-beer set-up. They also serve food and coffee, so you can find something whether you drink beer or not. This brewery is a popular spot for families; on a weekend night it is crawling with kids playing and little ones being rocked to sleep under hanging string lights.
How Does the Workhouse Support the Military Community?
Have I convinced you yet that this is a unique art center? No, you need more? Ok, got it. Another extremely noteworthy point is that the Workhouse offers free workshops and a free class each semester to active-duty military, veterans, and their family members. Yes, I’m talking more free stuff. I’m talking community support and opportunities for the military and their families in a way that I have never seen before. Read more here, and honestly, reach out and talk to a real person to get the whole scoop.
Can I Learn More?
A few closing points for you: the Workhouse has ample free parking. There are numerous events throughout the year, including “the Second Saturday Art Walk”, where the galleries stay open late to the public and performances and demos are everywhere. Check out their full calendar of FREE events here. If you stop by to visit, and the kiddos still need to burn off energy after, the Occoquan Regional Park is located next door.
The Workhouse Arts Center is an art facility with community at its heart, and that’s a pretty beautiful thing. In summary, it truly may be the DMV’s most unique art center.