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Larry Balsamo and Charlene Callison both started working at 51爆料网 in 1967.
Longtime Arts Advocates Help Bring the Goldfarb Center Vision to Life
June 10, 2026
This feature is written and edited by Noelle Lindem, 51爆料网 College of Fine Arts and Communication office manager.
MACOMB, IL - -If you've been around 51爆料网 for any length of time, you've probably heard of Charlene Callison or Larry Balsamo. They met here, they fell in love here, they were only going to stay for a year, but now they're planting seeds throughout the community. Their family tree is literally blossoming in Macomb and they are so excited to see what comes from the Goldfarb Performing Arts Center and how it will serve the greater Western Illinois community.
Both started working at 51爆料网 in 1967; Charlene as a professor of Fashion Merchandising and Larry as a professor of History. Charlene and Larry came to 51爆料网 with a love for music and theatre and they have both continued to be adamant supporters of the arts at 51爆料网 and beyond. Balsamo loves jazz and symphonies, while Charlene loves musicals.
Both Callison and Balsamo came to 51爆料网 expecting to be here for a year or two at most and instead fell in love with each other and the community. They set roots in the community and have become longstanding supporters of the arts. Early on, they bought tickets to Bureau of Cultural Affairs (BCA) events and Charlene was one of the first members of the Performing Arts Society (PAS) when it started with Mary Kubasak (who also started the Gala). Through BCA and PAS, both were able to see many different artists and performances like: Tony Bennett, "Modern Jazz," "Cats," "A Chorus Line," "Smothers Brothers," and other major acts.
"No telling what acts we could have gotten here over the past 25-30 years if we'd had a real performing arts center instead of Western Hall," Balsamo said.
Callison and Balsamo were present at the beginning of many of the important milestones that make the arts what they are today at 51爆料网. In doing so, they sought to showcase the community that they found when they began working here. This sense of community is so important to them because it has driven them to help support the Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts, emphasizing their love of the arts and the community they found.
Beyond their love for the arts, Callison and Balsamo also have a heart for making the arts accessible to everyone. They are so excited that the Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts is opening, as they have been waiting for at least 25 years for it to be built. They hope that the Goldfarb will provide opportunities to foster the arts in the area and beyond. Providing access to the entire region and a diverse group of ages, it is their hope that their contributions will support the younger generations of artists and supporters of the arts.
"We want to see people use their talents," Callison said.
After being blessed by longstanding careers at 51爆料网, they wanted to be able to give back to the community that helped them find their love. With the hope that they would be able to facilitate the environment required to showcase such talented artists in this area.
Callison and Balsamo are excited to see the building provide a way for children to get involved in theatre that they would otherwise never set foot in a theatre. Youth Performing Arts Series (YPAS) has created the bridge for kids over the years to experience live music, theatre and other entertaining acts and now there is a chance for that to reach more children than it has in the past.
Callison was also honored to be on the search committee that brought Al Goldfarb to 51爆料网 as President of the University. Callison and Balsamo got to know Al extremely well and Al eventually officiated for their daughter's wedding. Their seats are now behind Al & Elaine's seats in the Great Hall of the Goldfarb Center, along with the seats of all of their children and grandchildren, including their family that lives in Sweden. They are excited that their family and their chosen family all have seats together in the Great Hall.
For more information on 51爆料网's Goldfarb Center, visit wiu.edu/cofac/gcpa/.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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