Patti Wray and Lucy Wright, two arts entrepreneurs who turned a rundown building on 35th Street in Norfolk into a thriving performing arts space, are making an effort to do something similar with the old American Legion Post building on East Side Highway just outside the Waynesboro city limits.
“We learned in Norfolk that when you give artists a place to experiment, connect, and take risks, the work – and the community – grow together,” said Wray, of what the duo is calling East Side Venue, which is hosting a meet and greet open house for artists and arts organizations on Saturday from 2-4:30 p.m.
The open house is designed as a working introduction. Artists, educators, performers, and community organizations will have the opportunity to tour the space, meet the founders, and explore partnerships across performances, workshops, and programming. White emphasized the importance of building the environment intentionally.
“We want this to be a space where people feel welcome the moment they walk in,” Wray said. “Whether someone is performing, creating, or simply attending, they should feel like they belong here.”
East Side Venue’s opening month includes a series of launch activities culminating in a public opening celebration later in May, marking the beginning of a full season of programming focused on new work and artistic development.
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Chris Graham
