Page 14 - BusinessWest April 15, 2024

Taking
Center
Stage
52 Sumner Becomes Provocative Addition to Local Arts Landscape
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musical perfor- Continued on page 16 APRIL 15, 2024 << CREATIVE ECONOMY >>
CREATIVE ECONOMY >>
BY GEORGE O’BRIEN
[email protected]
Angela Park was originally looking for a home for her business, one that specializes in after-school programs for young people.
And she essentially found one in a portion of Faith United Church on Sumner Avenue
in Springfield, a 125-year-old landmark that had recently come on the market amid declining church membership. As she and other partners moved forward with the acquisition, an obvious question arose — what to do with
the nave, altar, and even the balcony of the structure?
The eventual answer to the question — and it took some
time for it to be answered — has become one of the more intriguing cultural developments in Springfield for quite some time.
Indeed, Park and others have created a nonprofit called Springfield Performing Arts Ventures Inc. (SPAV) and, in the church sanctuary, a new venue for the arts called 52 Sumner — the structure’s street address.
After more than a year’s work to renovate the hall, remove its pews, and install a new sound and lighting sys- tem, the venue officially opened earlier this year. There are several events on the schedule, and the obvious goal is to add more, said Park, executive director of SPAV, and
attorney Dan McKellick, a member of the agency’s board of directors.
But its broad mission goes much further than merely staging concerts and other forms of entertainment in a unique environment that many potential patrons can walk
to. “Our mission is to spark the artistic spirit within our urban community, providing a haven for creative expres- sion, cultural enrichment, and personal growth through
the arts,” said McKellick, quoting the agency’s mission statement but adding emphasis to those stated goals. “We are committed to breaking down barriers, ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, can access, participate in, and be inspired by the arts. Through education, perfor- mance, and outreach, we strive to foster a more vibrant, connected, and culturally enriched city, promoting unity and understanding among all our residents.”
Elaborating, McKellick said the agency, with this venue, is focused on bringing many different types of performing arts to Springfield and the region — not just specific acts, but cultural experiences, as we’ll see.
“We are committed to breaking down barriers, ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, can access, participate in, and be inspired by the arts.”
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“This is a unique opportunity to bring all different sorts of arts,” he
explained. “It’s
not just limited to 52 Sumner
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Angela Park and Dan McKellick stand in the balcony at 52 Sumner.