Deaner transitions to new POAC role
Carol Deaner, right, stands with new Pend Oreille Arts Council president Dyno Wahl after Deaner moved into her new role as the group's immediate past president.
Courtesy photo
For nearly five decades, the Pend Oreille Arts Council has been a cornerstone of the arts scene in Sandpoint, with a dedicated team of working board members at its core.
Carol Deaner, a pivotal figure in POAC's success, recently announced her retirement after years of service as board president. Despite initial plans to step down completely, Carol’s expertise and dedication led to her retention as “immediate past president,” a role she was persuaded to take on by staff and fellow board members, including incoming President Dyno Wahl.
Carol's legacy extends through POAC's famed Kaleidoscope Program, formed in 1992 in collaboration with the Community Assistance League. Kaleidoscope brings art classes to Lake Pend Oreille School District elementary schools and has enriched the lives of over 20,000 students from third through sixth grade in Bonner County.
POAC board members and staff alike appreciate Carol’s contributions and influence.
“Carol Deaner has had a profound influence on my life and career,” said arts coordinator Claire Christy. “Her guidance and support have meant everything to me, and I can wholeheartedly say that I don't know where I would be without her. She fostered my potential in ways I never could have imagined. I will forever feel grateful and incredibly fortunate to have learned so much from her and will carry that into my work in the future.”
Dyno Wahl was elected by fellow board members as the new president of POAC. Decked with knowledge and four decades of non-profit background, she's poised to lead. Executive director Tone Stolz envisions a dynamic partnership in advancing POAC's mission.
"I am looking forward to working with Dyno in this position, and I know we will make a formidable team in propelling POAC to new heights,” said Stolz.
POAC welcomes the community to join in congratulating Carol on her transition while welcoming Wahl into her new role as POAC president at the Art Walk opening reception Friday, June 14, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the new POAC gallery, 313 N. Second Ave., in downtown Sandpoint.