Nocturnal: Things that go Bump in the Night
Nocturnal: Things that go Bump in the Night is an October exhibition exploring shadow, mystery, and darkness through pottery, glass, paintings, prints, jewelry, and sculpture. The show brings together dusky, dramatic works ranging from black-cat stoneware and gnarly wood-fired pottery to reflective kilnformed-glass plates with eyes, luminous moths, ghostly tealight holders, and paintings that contrast stark light with deep darkness.
The exhibition is presented by Fire On Studio 22 in its first-floor 3-D gallery at the Torpedo Factory Art Center. Visitors can browse handmade functional pieces and art objects, including face jugs, vases, tiles, dishware, pendants, necklaces, cards, prints, and sculptural forms inspired by the night. Featured artists include Elke Seefeldt, Brianna Camp, Tracie Griffith Tso, Brian Grow, and Scott Kaye.
When: October 1–31, 2026
Showtimes: The gallery is open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. During the Torpedo Factory Art Center’s Late Night event, it will remain open until 10 p.m. on Friday, October 9.
Venue: Fire On Studio 22, first floor, Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union St., Alexandria, VA 22314
Description: The exhibition presents a range of nocturnal imagery and surfaces, including painted bats, luminous moths, phantom botanical silhouettes, watching eyes, black cats, prowling animals, fireflies, midnight-rimmed dishware, and vases that evoke dusk. Materials and finishes include tinted glass, smoky stoneware, inky black brushpainting, kilnformed glass, porcelain, wood-fired pottery, ash, char, smoke, and shadow.
Featured works: Examples include abstract pit-fired sculptural figures by Elke Seefeldt; a magnetic moth oil painting on copperplate by Brianna Camp; a black-cat brush-painted stoneware soap dish by Tracie Griffith Tso; a stoneware wood-fired face jug with porcelain cone detailing by Brian Grow; and dusky stoneware demi-mugs with sinewy handles by Scott Kaye. Other pictured works include a shadow basket, a limited-edition Chinese brushpainting print, an evening-light gourd sculpture, and a feathery-light eco-print card.
Artists: Elke Seefeldt of Arlington, Virginia; Brianna Camp of Fairfax, Virginia; Tracie Griffith Tso of Reston, Virginia; Brian Grow of Temple Hills, Maryland; and Scott Kaye of Arlington, Virginia are identified in the event materials.
Tickets: Price not available
Accessibility and visitor information: The Torpedo Factory Art Center is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., although individual artists maintain their own studio hours and visitors are encouraged to confirm availability. Masks are optional for visitors, artists, and staff, but some studios or galleries may require them. Periodic 5 p.m. closures may occur for private events, so visitors should check the center’s current hours before traveling.