Langston Art Center Studios

LOCATION ESTABLISHED OWNER(S)
5722 Langston Boulevard Circa 1984 Jean Henceroth, David Carlson

The LAC Studios, also known as Langston (formerly Lee) Arts Center, reside in a neo-classic revival building initially built as an elementary school in 1925. The shadows from the removed letters of the school’s former namesake, Robert E Lee, can still be seen above the entry, a vestige of the 1920s Jim Crow South when pervading public opinion supported naming public spaces for Confederate leaders. The school was designed by the notable local architect Percy Crowley Adams, who designed several Arlington schools during the area's rapid expansion in that era. 

The school closed in 1971, but public support led to its quick conversion to a community center for the Leeway Overlee and other neighborhoods along the corridor. Though the center offered County Parks and Recreation programs and various community activities, including voting,, it became well known for its artist studios. According to local artist David Carlson, the art studios have been part of the building for around 40 years. Printmaking and ceramics are supported there, and the building has the kilns to prove it. 

In 2020, the County closed the community center aspect of the building, which had been run by Parks and Recreation, but continued operating the art studios, run by the Cultural Affairs division at Arlington County. At that time, the building was renamed LAC Studios, formerly standing for Lee Art Center, but renamed to Langston Art Center to mirror the renaming of the boulevard. Walking inside the building today, you will find a vibrant atmosphere with artwork and ceramics lining the halls and bright light streaming through the large windows in the studios. It is this natural light that the artists who work here most revere about the space. 

The future of the LAC Studios building is a mixed bag. The good news is that Arlington Cultural Affairs will continue supporting artist programs like those at the studio. However, starting in the summer of 2025, they will be consolidated elsewhere under one countywide visual and performing arts venue. The future of the historic and beautiful building is far less certain. 

Jean Henceroth became president of the Leeway Overlee Civic Association, which represents the neighborhood where LAC Studios is located, in 2021. As she became involved with LBA’s Plan Langston Boulevard project, she found the county planning information for future development in her neighborhood suggested the demolition of the LAC Studios building. Jean immediately started meeting with county board members, staff and commissioners to try to save the building. She was initially told that it was unlikely that anything could be done, including County Manager Mark Schwartz telling her “it’s not going to happen.” She started inviting board members, planning commissioners, and neighborhood partners to meet her at the building so they could see it for themselves. Another Civic Association President referred her to a couple of local architects who worked up some samples for how the building could be used or configured.  Jean says that County Manager Mark Swartz was originally one of those naysayers, but with the hard work of Jean and the work of these two architects, he announced in a May 2024 Arlington County Board meeting that the building would not be demolished

In 2024, the county approved $250,000 to assess the building to see what needs to be repaired, replaced, or modernized. The assessment, which is occurring in the first half of 2025, will also help determine what possible uses and needs the building could serve for the county and the local community. The County’s long-term capital  plan now includes $15+ million in redevelopment funding to improve the building. Unfortunately, it is scheduled in 2030, which may be too late, or the amount allocated may not be enough. Regardless, Jean and the community are thrilled that demolition is off the table at this time. The Arlington County Board will determine the ultimate future of the building.

A community-driven public engagement process to help the County plan for the building’s future is the next step. Leeway Overlee Civic Association and Langston Boulevard Alliance see the building as belonging to a larger community, so getting their input on how it is used for everyone is important. LBA recently established a Community Centers Committee to review the community centers, both closed and open, within the Langston Boulevard Corridor and will manage the Lee Center Public Engagement process which will engage communities and businesses along the Corridor. LBA appointed Jean Chair of this committee. She hopes that the building will eventually offer arts activities while also meeting some of the  community’s recreational program needs. She hopes that the 55+ programs, daycare, voting, and recreation activities can return. Jean and David both hope that the future of the building will include art activities. Jean says those big windows and bright classrooms lend themselves to creating art. David is more worried about Langston Boulevard becoming an “art desert” because no art spaces remain. Dance studios, theaters, art studios, and creative spaces have all been displaced, and removing the current LAC Studios space will leave little for locals on the boulevard. LBA supports Jean and the Leeway Overlee Civic Association in their endeavor to save and reuse this historic building.

Photo Gallery

All images © Cindy Kane Photography

Stay in the know!

Sign up for our monthly email for the latest info on what’s happening on the corridor.