Many Talents, One Home: Lana Shaw’s Journey with CCS
A lifelong creative spirit and dedicated member of the Centralia Cultural Society, Lana Shaw has worn many artistic hats—member of Little Theatre Players, President of Creative Endeavors, and Director of Elmwood Speaks. In this spotlight, she shares how the Cultural Society has helped her discover her creative voice and express her storytelling through the arts.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and how long have you been involved with the CCS?
Lana: My first involvement with ccs was when I was in junior high. So that would have been in the late seventies. Then when I was in high school I was in a couple performances such as Guys and Dolls. Then I went away to college at Eastern. Then I went to Sangamon state in Springfield. I lived in Springfield then for many years. Then I moved back home. And I reconnected with ccs.
“My first involvement with ccs was when I was in junior high. So that would have been in the late seventies.”
Lana Shaw - Creative Endeavors Group President
12th Night - 2012
What group or groups are you involved in and in what capacity
Lana: I am involved with a little theater. I am the secretary. I am the President of creative endeavors. I am the director of Elmwood speaks. I am trying to get Echoes of Hillcrest off the ground. I also sing in the Choral Society. I used to play clarinet. But I never played with this Orchestra. When I retire I would like to be a part of light and lens and learn more about photography. Also I wouldn't mind joining palette and brush I love to doodle.
What has made you stay involved over the years?
Lana: What has made me stay involved all these years. Well I love being able to bring some form of art to Centralia and the surrounding area. I think my ability to be in the Arts has helped form the person that I am. I love the opportunity who make someone smile make someone laugh and for a moment take them out of the day-to-day and bring them to a magical place that I have found in the Arts.
“So many times I felt alone in the world. I was frustrated that I didn’t understand things as quickly as someone else. But music and the Arts bridge that Gap for me.”
How has the arts community here impacted your life outside the building?
Lana: How has CCS impacted my life outside of the building. That's a hard question to answer. I think because I am in the Arts and have been most of my life it makes me more sensitive to my fellow men and women. I deeply want to share the Arts with others inside and outside of the culture Society. At work I try to bring fun to a very demanding workplace. I think the lessons that I have learned from ccs help me do that. I have found a family at ccs that inspires me. I would also tell you that I am dyslexic. So many times I felt alone in the world. I was frustrated that I didn't understand things as quickly as someone else. But music and the Arts bridge that Gap for me.
What do you hope CCS continues to be for the community?
Lana: I hope and pray that the CCS continues to provide art in all its forms to the city of Centralia and the surrounding area. It gives each person an opportunity to work with others to create a magical creative event, story, picture or production and do it as a part of a group or team.
“I hope and pray that the CCS continues to provide art in all its forms to the city of Centralia and the surrounding area.”
“I would let them know this is a great opportunity as an adult or as a child or as a senior citizen to come and dream.”
If you could invite someone new into CCS, how would you describe it to them?
Lana: How would I describe the ccs to someone who is thinking about joining. I would explain to them that this is a place where dreams come true. This is a place where you can act if that is your heart's desire. Or you can learn how to paint if that is your heart's desire. One other things that I love is that we're always trying to offer classes for the young actors young musicians and young artists. This used to happen within the school system. But sadly it is missing in many school curriculums. I am a teacher at heart so I would let them know this is a great opportunity as an adult or as a child or as a senior citizen to come and dream.
12th Night - 2012
Can you tell us about Creative Endeavors?
Lana: Creative Endeavors is our monthly writing group, where members work on a variety of projects—short stories, novels, plays, and more. I myself am a poet. We currently have eight active members, with a few others who join occasionally. You just show up. It’s helpful, of course, if you’re a writer too.
We meet on the second Thursday of every month.
