Carm
Spencer featured
“ In 1943, having received her B.S. degree in home economics, [Carm Spencer] moved to Grangeville to teach home economics, math, and general science. There she met and married John W. Spencer, cattle rancher and businessman….” --- 2003 University of Idaho, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. When I think of Carm I think of three realms that always benefitted from her influence and support: education, history and the arts. I knew Carm as a patron of the arts, always interested in local artists and always supportive of the CIAA. I moved to Grangeville in 1976 and at that time Carm was already a patron member of the club. Her support and her claim to her patron status was generated not only from her love of art, but also from the Spencer family’s generous donation of the use of the building they owned at 105 W North 2nd Street in Grangeville. The Blue Camas Art Gallery is where we held our monthly meetings, conducted workshops and classes , and held our three annual art shows, the Christmas Show and Sale, the Border Days show over the 4th of July, and our annual Spring Art Show. When the Bicentennial Historical Museum was built in 1984, Carm invited our group to hold our Spring Art Show in the museum basement gallery, where it has been held ever since. In addition, the CIAA was fortunate to have the use of one of the Spencer’s storage units near the museum. Carm was always in attendance at our shows. She was such a supporter, purchasing artwork by our local artists, always appreciative of fine quality, but also giving encouragement to all those who were showing or selling their work. Pam Northcutt, a close friend and associate of Carm’s, noted that Carm was very talented, that she worked successfully in many mediums, that she collected CIAA member artwork and furthered community art development. Carm’s family noted that Carm did not develop her talents in any one particular medium. She loved to learn about and experiment with them all and, accordingly, recruited artists to teach classes. She particularly enjoyed oils, weaving, sculpture, and clay. For all CIAA members who knew Carm Spencer they remember her as a genuine and steadfast art enthusiast and a supporter of our local artists and the CIAA. |
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