Sylvania Franciscan honored for dedication to performing arts |
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Sunday, 07 December 2008 01:00 |
SYLVANIA—Sylvania Franciscan Sister Sheila Shea is to be inducted into the Lake Erie West Hall of Fame Dec. 7 for her dedication to the performing arts. The induction ceremony takes place as part of Eddie Boggs’ Holiday Variety Show at 2 p.m. in the Franciscan Theatre & Conference Center of Lourdes College.
Having served as director of the Franciscan Center for 20 years, Sr. Shea is credited with bringing both national and local acts representing almost every genre of the performing arts to the Sylvania area. In addition, she has dedicated herself to community arts organizations and has served on the board of the Centennial Terrace Commission, Grants Panels of the Ohio Arts Council, Michigan Presenters, Ohio Arts Presenters, Performing Arts Council of Toledo, Performing Arts Presenters, Sylvania Arts Commission, Sylvania Chamber of Commerce, Sylvania Community Improvement Corporation, Sylvania Community Services and the Sylvania Sister Cities Commission.
“It’s an honor, especially being recognized by the local community in which I served,” Sr. Shea says of her induction. “Being able to bring professional performing artists to the area was most exciting and rewarding. The arts speak to a person’s soul.”
The Sisters of St. Francis have a strong charism in the arts. Mother Adelaide, their foundress, was an artist and an art teacher.
“Art was a guiding force for Mother Adelaide in the development of our campus,” notes Sr. Shea. “Art is everywhere, from the layout and landscaping, to the buildings and to the art in and on so many of the buildings. The sisters built the Franciscan Center that continues to be used by the greater-community for arts-related projects.”
Under Sr. Shea’s tutelage, the Franciscan Center has hosted local talent including The Toledo Symphony, the Toledo Jazz Orchestra, The Toledo Ballet, the Cassandra Ballet and many more.
“It was always an honor and a joy to see these talents grow and take off,” adds Sr. Shea. “I can truly say that my years as director of the Franciscan Center opened up a whole new world of performing arts for me.”
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Last Updated on Friday, 06 February 2009 09:39 |
