As much as I love a good sports team to keep a community glued together, if I had to make a choice, I would hand my money over to arts and culture every time. Perhaps it’s because I grew up immersed in dance. Maybe it’s because I loved theatre and was encouraged to pursue public speaking. It might be because I can’t imagine a life without reading and writing and dabbling in creativity.

Whatever it is, though, it sets off a little spark in me when I see that communities are invested in making their towns a better place for their citizens by providing a space to celebrate the arts.

This is one of the reasons why I loved the Historic City Hall in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Destroyed by a fire in 1910, the Lake Charles Historic City Hall was rebuilt and reopened in 1911. For 90 years this distinct-looking building with it’s tall clock tower, well-kept gardens and showcase windows served as a seat of government. Trials were held here, and footsteps echoed the hallways as people came and went on their judicial and legislative business. In 2004, the city closed the building down for refurbishment purposes, and when it reopened, it had a new purpose: It now serves as the city’s arts and cultural center.

Now, not only is the outside of the building photo-worthy (it is on the National Register of Historic Places), but the inside is filled with rotating exhibits, and a full roster of speakers and cultural presentations are showcased in the hall every year. Occasionally, local organizations sponsor art shows, such as the black-and-white photography exhibit featuring images that capture the essence of the United Way, which was on display when I was there in February. Other recent exhibits have featured the work of Charles M. Schulz and his Peanuts characters, art of Africa and water reflections in American painting.

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