Art Chowder November | December 2017, Issue 12 | Page 42

Artist carol schmauder:
I
met Dian Zahner fourteen years
ago at the very first Spokane Studio Art
Tour and I last saw her after setting up for
the 14 th Annual Spokane Studio Art Tour.
We were having a good time conversing and
laughing about something. I don’t even remember
what it was. I am thankful my husband took this
picture because it shows Dian the way I want to remember her—happy and having a
good time. Six days after this picture was taken, Dian returned home to that Heavenly
Father who gave her life.
Being in the presence of Dian was like being in the presence of a spark plug. She
was so full of life and always on the go. She taught classes, took classes, belonged to
organizations, and painted the scenes that meant something to her. She was the back-
bone of Avenue West Gallery, which she co-founded with some of her friends fourteen
years ago. For several years, she asked me to join the gallery but I wasn’t sure I want-
ed to make that commitment. I am thankful I finally gave in and could work side by
side with her and the other fine artists that are part of the gallery. Her encouragement
through the hard times is what has made Avenue West the longest running gallery in
Spokane. She was proud of the gallery and wanted to make sure it didn’t die when
times were lean.
I could go on and on and write many things about Dian and could tell lots of stories
but I will stop here and leave the telling of more stories to others that loved her, too.
I will keep with me all the fond memories of times spent with her and cherish those
memories. Dian, I love you.
42
ART CHOWDER MAGAZINE
Dian Zahner
Moon Over Lake Michigan
watercolor
36 x 24”
Dian Zahner
Deep
watercolor
25 x 25”