Backstage at Venice PerformingIslandArts Center

By Caitlin Marsilii, Photography by Melissa Kelly Photography

Atypical day at Venice Island Performing Arts & Recreation Center (VIPARC) is never quite the same. For Kelly Orenshaw, Facility Supervisor, some days consist of giving a tour to a local dance company, planning a theater festival, sitting down for a Manayunk Magazine interview, and then running tech for a live production. If you frequent Manayunk, there’s a good chance that you’ve attended one of Venice Island’s productions or at the very least have walked by the state-of-the-art facility at the foot of Main Street and Lock Street. You may know that it’s a thriving hub for the arts or know of its spray garden and athletic courts, but what you may not know is that the facility sits atop of an underground stormwater runoff tank that can retain around four million gallons of water. Back in the 19th century, Manayunk mills could purchase energy from the turbines and equipment of the Schuylkill Navigation System, which largely contributed to the transport of coal and was the benefit of other similar industries in Pennsylvania. The system also consisted of locks, one of which could be found near where VIPARC stands today. As railroad transport became more predominant and industry moved overseas, the canal eventually closed to boat use leaving Manayunk with the equipment and the memory of the once thriving space. Fast forward a few years to when the City of Philadelphia purchased the land, Venice Island became part of the Fairmont Park Systems, which led to a recreation center being built with a hockey rink, basketball courts, a pool, and other facilities. Over time, usage and maintenance slowed, leading to the former center’s decline, until finally, in the early 2000s, talks began about the arts and recreation center we all love today. The community pushed for a performing arts center, which then started to come to life with the help of the Philadelphia Water Department, Parks & Recreation, and Manayunk. In 2014, VIPARC opened with a new mission and design. Overflow tanks, a pumping station with a green roof, and various other environmentally-friendly features were developed to make up the center’s core, and better yet, the rainwater is filtered directly into the surrounding gardens. Other features include an outdoor amphitheater, a spray garden, and an outdoor basketball and Padel court. Inside, the facility includes a 250-seat theater with state-of-the-art technology and two multipurpose rooms.

Strategically designed and developed from a rich history, Venice Island Performing Arts & Recreation Center contributes to the community in two very different ways. In one sense, the center’s design and functioning brings the community an improved water system and community landscape in conjunction with the Schuylkill River. That includes everything from flood prevention to assisting in the maintenance of the towpath - yes, the turtles, plants, waterfowl, and all. In another sense, the facility is a thriving space for the community to prosper and grow through the arts.

Really, when it comes to the arts, the center’s doors are open to all. Professional productions are hosted as are emerging playwrights, community projects, and children’s theater groups. Dancers, actors, poets, comedians, motivational speakers, yogis, and more fill the halls of VIPARC along with the many art enthusiasts who fill the theater’s seats on shownight. It’s a place for artists and the supporting community to come together and connect.

“You can feel the air change during a performance, and in that moment, you can sense that everyone feels connected,” Kelly said.

This feeling is familiar for Kelly from more recent productions to productions of her past. Growing up, Kelly was involved with her local community theater productions and Parks & Recreation student programs.

“I was 100% that kid,” she stated while explaining why the center and its mission is personally important to her. “It’s very full circle. What I really want is for this place to be what I had as a kid.”

Experiences with similar programs and the relationships she built along the way have made Kelly who she is today, and she hopes to continue to provide a supportive and genuine space through the arts for the next generation.

Currently, the center continues to create this space with the community at the forefront of their vision. Their tagline - “Where Art is Created - speaks to how VIPARC is a workshop space to enjoy no matter the level or experience. It’s a space to do many different things and to explore the endless possibilities of the arts. Another favorite feature of the center is that it exposes the community to art that they otherwise wouldn’t experience,

Coming Up at Venice Island Performing Arts Center

Here’s just a peek at what’s to come. Each month, VIPARC hosts a variety of events and programs. For a full calendar of events and event details check out veniceisland.org.

May

Shoe Box Short Theatre Festival:

May 20 th

Block 1: 4-6p.m. Block 2: 7:30p.m. -9:30p.m.

Falcon Viewing

May 29 th at 9:00a.m.

June

Mamma Mia with The Star Players

June 2 nd , 3 rd , & 4 th from 7:00p.m. -9:30p.m.

July

Mike Massé: Epic Acoustic Classic Rock in Concert

July 29 th from 7:00p.m. -9:30p.m.

August

Young Performance Theater Camp

August 10 th -11 th

September

Rocky Horror Picture Show with Transylvanian Nipple Productions

September 30 th

This event is a part of Manayunk.com’s Out & About and really, these are just a few of the ways VIPARC aligns itself to best support the community. Kelly emphasized how VIPARC is a place that the community can come to.

“We want to listen,” Kelly said. “If there’s something you want to see or do, please come in and talk to us.”

This sentiment truly ties back to its formation, and with such a strong foundation, there are only good things ahead for VIPARC. Kelly and her team show great initiative for future goals and projects. First, they aim to incorporate more nature into different programs. Kelly shared how there’s such a correlation between art and everything else in the world, especially nature, and how she wants to find more ways to tie those two things together. With the center’s gardens and the Manayunk Towpath right in VIPARC’s backyard, the possibilities are endless. Next, VIPARC hopes to grow their internal programs, while also continuing to expand their outreach and openness to external groups and organizations. Overall, they want to continue to strengthen their community presence and visibility. These goals align deeply with the center’s overarching mission to enhance the cultural experience and cultivate a deeper appreciation of the arts to those in Philadelphia, to improve the creative opportunities of Philadelphians of all ages, and to see that Venice Island is a vibrant, thriving destination enjoyed by the community for years to come.

VIPARC provides a space for people in Manayunk and around the city to get to know each other on a level that they normally wouldn’t and breaks down barriers and walls between people.

“Art brings out humanity in a different way,” Kelly stated. “You sort of have to let your hubris go and in that space, there’s a way for everyone to connect with everyone else.”