ArtsQuest and CAA founder passes away

ArtsQuest and CAA founder passes away

By Deborah Wheeler

debbie_wheeler@link.freedom.com

In Sue Foster's passing Monday morning, the South Walton arts community lost its anchor.

"We had no movies or culture here to speak of. Sue brought culture to us," said Grace Marse of her childhood friend.

Foster was one of three founders of ArtsQuest and the Cultural Arts Association 20 years ago. The association celebrated its milestone in May and toasted its founders at the end of Grayton's boardwalk.

"It was touching to see her so excited and full of life then," said Jan Clarke, who helped found ArtsQuest.

From one woman's idea and its very humble beginnings, ArtsQuest is now recognized as one of the most prestigious art festivals in the country. All who were around at its beginning thank Foster for its success.

Foster owned a photo and framing gallery in Grayton Beach in 1989. She had done outdoor art shows before and decided it would be a great idea to have one in Grayton.

"It makes me proud to be a founder," said Foster in May. She designed a limited-edition 20^th anniversary poster for the event. 

At news of Foster's death, Clarke said she is thankful that Foster's vision and contribution to the community as a founder and was recognized in ArtsQuest's 20_th year.

"I know I speak for all her friends when I say how blessed we are to have had Sue in our lives. She will be sadly missed," said Clarke.

"What a loss," said Hilda McDonald in learning of Foster's death. McDonald worked side by side with Foster at ArtsQuest since the second year. "She was an institution here. She was the center of the arts community. She was here with her photos and gallery way before anyone else. She started the whole thing. It's a terrible loss to the community and not just the art community."

Deb Eberhart is someone Foster counted as a close friend. Eberhart remembers Foster's vision of having after school art programs and scholarships for children.

"That was her dream and she brought it to fruition through the Cultural Arts Association," said Eberhart.

Another who helped Foster with ArtsQuest since its beginning is Kris Chavez.

"She was a jewel. She was really good to Manny (Kris's husband) and me when we moved here. She was one of the first people we met and she introduced us to people. She was kind and generous. She was the backbone of the arts community before we were on the map. She brought everyone together and told us to hang in there, keep believing and do what we loved, that collectively we could do more than individually," said Chavez.

Blue Mountain Beach artist Billie Gaffrey met Foster 18 years ago. She remembers Foster's support for budding new artists.

"She would tell it like it was. I took her comments to heart. I'll never forget when she pulled me aside and told me how proud she was of me and my work. That was 10 years ago. It was then that I knew I was on my way. I went home and went wow!" said Gaffrey.

One of the folks who knew Foster the longest is Marse. The two women attended elementary school together in DeFuniak Springs where Foster's parents were teachers.

"Sue had a brilliant mind," said Marse. "Love, laughter and logic describe her. You could go to her with problems. I worked with her in CAA. She was a wonderful person and level headed. She was treasurer for the Walton Democrats Women's Club and active in it, but hands down, her greatest contribution to the community was cultural arts and bringing culture to the Panhandle. She was so unique. She had the artistic side and the logical side. She had the ability to zero in on what people needed and would like. I depended on her. She didn't come last Friday for the Democratic Women's meeting and I knew she must be tired."

Memorial services will be at 10 a.m., July 12, at Santa Rosa Beach Community Church.