Marian Van Landingham

Marian Amelia Van Landingham (September 10, 1937 – April 4, 2026) was an American artist, community leader and Democratic politician. She served in the Virginia House of Delegates for 24 years and spearheaded the transformation of a former military warehouse into the Torpedo Factory Art Center, in Alexandria, Virginia. In 2006 she was designated a Women's History Month Honoree by the National Women's History Project.

Early life and education Marian Van Landingham was born in Albany, Georgia and graduated from Druid Hills High School in Atlanta in 1955. She received her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in political science She also worked with Georgia Congressman Phil Landrum. A painter herself, she continued to live and work in Alexandria, for more than five decades, accompanied in her final years by two dachshunds, which she named "Arthur" for former President Chester A. Arthur , and "Alexander" for the historic city. A member of a local Methodist church, the educational Delta Kappa Gamma society and numerous local neighborhood associations, Landingham would also serve as vice chairman of the Alexandria Democratic Committee.

Van Landingham served as the volunteer president for Alexandria's Art League, and convinced the city's Bicentennial Commission to grant $140,000 It also inspired artist-centric facilities in former government factories in the United States and other countries.

In 1980 Landringham established the Alexandria Volunteer Bureau, now known as Volunteer Alexandria.

Politician The Torpedo Factory Art Center had become Van Landingham's first political campaign, launching her political career in the Virginia House of Delegates, where she served parts of Alexandria, Arlington and Fairfax. Notable awards 1974; Washingtonian of the Year 1979; Virginia Governor Award for the Arts 1992; Governor's Award for Fighting Drugs 1993; Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy Legislator of the Year