Web posted
Monday, February 11, 2008
Giving spirit touches many in Arkansas City
By ANGEL PERRYMAN
Traveler Correspondent
Where in the world is Karmen Shaw these days?
It could be any number of places here in Ark City. From teaching at Montessori to giving art lessons at the Arkansas City Area Arts Council, Karmen is one talented lady.
Many know Karmen and how her giving spirit has touched many lives. For those of you who don't, here's a little bit about this great woman.
Shaw and her husband, Bob, moved to Ark City in 1971. They have been married for 42 years, and have two sons and four grandchildren. But there are a vast amount of children who refer to Shaw as Grandma Karmen.
"I have always worked with short people" Karmen stated as she described her involvement in the community. Karmen, along with Peggy Bennett, taught pre-school for the Methodist church for more than twenty years.
These two women and others, including Celi Goff and Judi Groves were instrumental in the development and launch of Kinderart, a hands-on art class for 3-4 year olds that is still a highly popular program at the Arts Council today. Karmen talked about how much fun she had working with such close friends during that time.
Karmen has been involved with many local projects and events including Crafts for Kids, and assisting with art in the park now known as Prairiefest. She has also held other art workshops and says she enjoys learning new things from the people who have attended.
She laughingly added "I just do everything for fun." Karmen said that what she enjoys about art is that there is no absolute. She expressed how art is very individual and "totally open." Karmen went on to say how important she believes the arts are, especially in today's modern world where gadgets, remote controls, and electronics with buttons occupy children far more than finger paints and crayons.
Today Karmen can be found teaching pre-schoolers at Trinity Montessori. She has been there for five years now and has helped with Christmas programs, spaghetti suppers, bike-a-thon's, and much more. She has also arranged for the children to sing and perform the chicken dance for the residents of Sterling House.
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