About Us

Welcome to the ARTfactory!

The ARTfactory is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization that provides programs in the arts for ages 5 and above which was founded in 1984 by a group of artists and art lovers with the goal of enriching the quality of life in the Northern Virginia region. In 2002, the ARTfactory relocated to the Hopkins Candy Factory building in Manassas and has become the cornerstone of the downtown arts community. Currently, we offer an art gallery, theatre arts, visual arts education, dance classes, Arts on the Go™, summer camps and SummerSounds Concert Series.

Our mission is to enrich the creative community by: Engaging people of all ages, celebrating diversity, fostering innovation, and cultivating collaboration and communication.

Art Gallery

The Caton Merchant Family Gallery exhibitions feature local and regional artists. Each exhibit includes an artist reception to help connect the community to the artists. The Gallery also hosts an annual adjudicated high school student art competition that includes poetry and wearable art.

Theatre Arts

ARTfactory is home to three theatre companies, our community theatre company for adults, Rooftop Productions, our youth company, Pied Piper Theatre, and our senior (55+) company, Prime Time Players. For more on theatre arts, visit our ARTFACTORY THEATRE page.

Arts Education

Dance Classes

We have ballroom dance classes for all skill levels that focus on the classics as well as more modern dance forms such as Line dance. Take the class by yourself or bring a partner! Looking to just come out and dance? Our Sunday Dances are monthly drop-in sessions offering a different dance style each month. Instructional lesson included for a nominal fee or participate in the open dance.

Summer Camps in Visual, Creative, and Performing Arts

Camps are designed to enrich and instruct children ages 5-18 in theatre, visual, and creative arts. Camps last one to three weeks and are half day or full day camps. Our summer theatre camps have been recognized by Washingtonian magazine for their creative and challenging programs and has been voted “Best of Virginia” by Virginia Living magazine. Each theatre camp concludes with a performance for the community. Art camps vary widely in instruction ad topics. Camps conclude with an art show and reception for family and friends.

For more information on any of our ARTfactory classes and/or camps, please visit our CLASSES & CAMPS page.

Be sure to read our Cancellation and Refund policy here.

Arts on the Go™

This trademarked STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) educational programming consists of modules that fully integrated the STEAM curriculum while addressing the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL)s. These modules are designed and built by the ARTfactory staff, then provided to the local schools at no cost to them. Each module stays in a school for 2 weeks before moving to the next school. Arts on the Go ™ is funded by corporate sponsors and foundation grants. To learn more about this program, click here.

SummerSounds Concerts

Each summer, the ARTfactory offers up to five free outdoor concerts that highlight a variety of musical styles. The concerts are held at the Harris Pavilion and sponsored by Micron Foundation and the City of Manassas. The staff consults with local musicians and the Virginia Commission for the Arts’ Touring Program to select a variety of performances to enrich the community. View the upcoming performances here.

Meet the Staff

Board of Directors

President – Laura Mills; Immediate Past President – Dr. James Carr, Ed. D.; Secretary – Jan Alten; Treasurer – Andrea Oswald

Directors: Catherine Croft, Gina Dabney, Debbie Jones, Pamela Lea, Charles Leopold, Gina Michak, Suhail Mir, Meghan Phillips, Ric Segovia, Sandra Surabian, Sarah Weaver

Please click HERE for more on our Board of Directors

Hours of Operation

For general information inquiries, please call us at 703-330-2787 during business hours, or email us at info@virginiaartfactory.org