behind the scenes
Making the town tick
Story and photo by Billie Jean Gerke
Carol Deaner, Sandpoint Arts Commission chairperson
I
in her dozen years as a Bonner County resident, Carol Deaner has made herself synonymous with art. Upon moving to this arts-oriented community, Deaner immediately joined Sandpoint’s art circles. Soon she was serving on the boards of Pend Oreille Arts Council (POAC) and the Sandpoint Arts Commission, as well as teaching art to Hope Elementary students through POAC’s Kaleidoscope program. Indeed, her life revolves around supporting visual and performing arts, arts education, and artist development. “This is who I am. I love art, both visual and performing, because it evokes emotion in people,” Deaner said. The Southern California native has always collected art, but it wasn’t until she retired at age 55 that she got involved in the arts. “I got bored right away,” she said, so she started volunteering as a docent at Cheekwood, a museum in
Deaner Datasheet
• Serves on the advisory board for Pend Oreille Arts Council; past president (eight years) and vice president of visual arts • Chairs the Sandpoint Arts Commission; coordinated the Bridge Street Bridge art and conservation project, the Boyer
Nashville, Tenn., and later in Minneapolis, at the Minnesota Museum of Art. Trained as a radiologist, Deaner married young, had two daughters and divorced young, which forced her to become an independent woman. She became a professor and clinical instructor of radiological technology and later was in sales and consulting services in medical technology. She remarried at age 42 and credits husband Gary for supporting her in community service. Deaner, 71, is passionate about education, and that’s why she serves on the board of Panhandle Alliance for Education and chairs its Summer Sunset Gala fundraiser that naturally includes an art auction. She appreciates how the Lake Pend Oreille School District supports the arts. “This village is full of great people who appreciate the arts,” she said. In her work with POAC, Deaner is
Avenue roundabout art project, the Sand Creek arch next to Panida Theater, the Second Avenue David Thompson exhibit (still in process), and the granite bear statue at the Sand Creek Byway walking path • Serves on the Panhandle Alliance for Education board;
in charge of revolving art exhibits at Panhandle State Bank’s main office and Mountain West Bank in Ponderay. She laughs as she recalls setting up her first POAC exhibit, at City Hall when Paul Graves, a pastor, was mayor. “The first lesson you learn in Sandpoint about hanging art is ‘no nudes,’ ” she said. Deaner learned another lesson about Sandpoint when she developed breast cancer seven years ago. “This community is very caring. I can’t believe how wonderful people were,” she said. Deaner adds that Sandpoint is lucky to have the Sandpoint Urban Renewal Agency as it funds the arts commission that, in turn, supports local artists. “Sandpoint Arts Commission is a catalyst to put art in front of people,” Deaner said. “It’s paramount that we use local artists.” Indeed, Sandpoint’s public art inventory has grown tremendously in recent years. At the heart of it is Carol Deaner.
chairs the Summer Sunset Gala • Bonner General Hospital Foundation board member; chairs the annual Heart Ball • Past president of Hope Memorial Community Center (six years); coordinated and raised funds for its expansion, coordinated the Bodacious
WINTER 2013
BBQ fundraiser, helped grow its preschool and establish a scholarship program for its students • Named a Woman of Wisdom in 2007 and Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Month in May 2012
SANDPOINT MAGAZINE
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