At least two of the three corners at Union and King streets have come alive for the holiday season – up to a point.
All of the windows and door panels at 101/103 King St., immediately next to the Fish Market restaurant, are displaying historic scenes and photos of Alexandria landmarks. They will remain in place until the building is once again pulsing with life, according to Shannon Polyak, spokesperson for Historic Alexandria.
On the opposite corner, the site of the former Alamo restaurant, there is an internal display of original art work from the Torpedo Factory Art Center. Entitled, "Looking In, Again," it is patterned after last year's popular exhibit called "Looking In," according to Honor Vandeveer, the center's outreach coordinator.
"The best time to photograph the display is between 5 p.m. and midnight. That is when both the exhibit lights and outside lights are on," Vandeveer explained.
This exhibit, featuring the works of nine artists, will be on display until January 5. It began November 15. Each piece is for sale. A description, sale price, artist's name, and studio number at the art center, is listed on the announcement posted on various windows and doors at the site.
The exhibit is sponsored by the City of Alexandria and coordinated by the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities in collaboration with the Friends of the Torpedo Factory Art Center and the artists' association.
The Fish Market Annex display is the work of Janet Pressler, Visonworks Studio in Alexandria, Polyak explained. It was created under the aegis of the Office of Historic Alexandria.
"The only requirement for the display was that each photo had to be featured in William Seale book, "A Guide To Historic Alexandria," Polyak said. All photos are by Erik Kvalsvik.
Each site or activity is identified with days and times of operation. The purpose of the exhibit is to offer one more enticement for tourists to visit the may facets of Alexandria, Polyak stated.