Masar, Shelley Washburne | University of Illinois Archives

Shelley Washburne Masar is a yoga instructor and dancer. She grew up in New York City in the height of the 1960s, the daughter of Norman Foster Washburne and Carol Washburne. Her father was a professor of sociology at Rutgers University and inspired her interest in jazz and yoga by taking her to events in Greenwhich Village. Washburne Masar's mother, who had a degree in art history and taught at the Woodmere Academy on Long Island, inspired her to explore poetry and dance. After studying dance at Lake Erie College (OH), Oberlin College, Case Western Reserve University, and the California Institute of the Arts, Washburne Masar followed a professor of computer science to the University of Illinois in 1975. Soon after, she was hired by Dan Perrino to work as an assistant to the Dean of Women. Washburne began a masters degree in leisure studies, which she completed in 1978. Her thesis was entitled "Leisure and Life Cycle Transition from the Young Adult to the Early Establishment Stage."

In 1979, she met Terry Masar, who had opened Nature's Table Restaurant. The Restaurant was across the street from the Krannert Center, where Washburne was enrolled in dance classes. The two married six weeks after first meeting one another. Washburne Masar organized jazz events at the restaurant, attempting to inspire patrons with her interest in the arts. In 1980, she completed a masters in dance writing a thesis and performing a work called "Garden's Edge." In 1986, Washburn Masar opened the White Street Arts Center, where she taught yoga and dance and invited jazz and world music musicians to give workshops. The couple had four children while managing Nature's Table: Seredy, Tyson, Ella, and Liza. Nature's Table was closed in 1991, after the owner of the building sold the property.

In 1995, Wasburne Masar began writing for The Optimist, which later became The Octopus and then CU Cityview. In the early 2000s the Masars divorced. Her husband Terry died of a heart attack in 2011. Since then, Washburne Masar has taught yoga classes with the Living Yoga Center in Urbana.

Shelley Masar Oral History with Jeff Machota (August 2016), https://naturestable.net/oral-history/

Joel Gillespie, "Eight Arms to Hold You: An Oral History of the Octopus," Smile Politely: https://www.smilepolitely.com/culture/the_octopus_an_oral_history/

Carol Washburne Obituary 2016, https://www.renner-wikoffchapel.com/obituary/Carol-Washburne

Danielle Robinow, "Dancers Finda Place on White Street," Daily Illini (December 9, 1987).

"Ella Masar Uplugged: Loss, Love, Life." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbwghZMLy8U