The lyrics, “Soon you will go in the midst of day … and you will never know how we loved you, how we loved you,” from Rogers and Hammerstein’s “Carousel” recently performed at the Valley Performing Arts resounded in the theater with new meaning after Sept. 17.

The backdrop for the song, and for many scenes during the performance, was an impressionistic forest scene of huge, vivid citron-colorful patterns on a see-through scrim the full width and height of the stage. It was beautifully rendered by Eric Deeter, an unforgettable person and talented artist who died in a car accident in Anchorage before he got a chance to see the play, which closed Oct. 4.

“Carousel” director Grant Olson and Rod Mehrtens, set designer, are among those who have appreciated the behind-the-scenes artistic endeavors of Eric over the past years.

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Perhaps Eric’s first local set was for Radio Free Palmer’s Kickoff Event in September 2006, an organization that used his remarkable creative abilities and community spirit on its board of directors as well. Other sets with “scenic artist” to Eric’s credit include: “Hot Aging Women II,” VPA, April, 2007; “The Complete Works of Shakespeare,” Palmer Arts Council (PAC), September 2007; “Faith County,” VPA February 2008; “Run For Your Wife,” VPA, March 2008; “Seascape,” PAC, November 2008; “Night of the Iguana,” VPA, February 2009; and “Hello Dolly,” Palmer High School, February 2009, for Olson.

Stan Harris, musical director, made an urgent plea to Mimi Pippel, president of the PAC, four days from opening of “Hello Dolly,” proclaiming the sets were not finished. As a favor, Eric came to the rescue by painting a turn-of-the-last-century Yonkers, New York, street scene in only two days, along with Ruth Hulburt.

Mimi remembers, “I provided music and snacks to keep them entertained and inspired and stayed until Eric put the finishing touches on after midnight. It was such a wonderful evening — watching these people who were devoted to their craft and their community — helping out, having fun. Mesmerizing really … you know …one of life’s moments.” 

Pippel met Eric at the opening of “Proof,” the first theater production of the Palmer Arts Council where his art was on exhibit in conjunction with the play. Carmen Summerfield, founder of the Valley Arts Alliance, who invited Eric to have his art on display, speaks highly of him and his work.

Judith Sharpe-Levy, a founding member of the Valley Fine Arts Association, says that she met Eric when enrolled in a class at Blaines Arts on the Palmer-Wasilla Highway.

“He had a passion for his painting, hadn’t really taught before, and wanted to give the students everything he knew. Ten minutes into that class I knew he was special.” said Sharpe-Levy.

His talents and visual contributions to downtown Palmer include the sign for the Palmer Arts Council office and the sign for David Cheezem’s’ Fireside Books, both on Alaska Street. His oil painting, “Winter Bones” selected in 2008 as the Rasmuson Purchase Award to the Museum of History and Art in Palmer, hangs in their permanent collection.

Town Square Gallery in Wasilla had an original art show of his work and owner Janet St. George says “his work was of a different genre,” more impressionistic than what we usually see. According to her, “Papa Joe” was a popular seller. He would pop in and talk to her about new people he had met and of his own work he would ask, “How does this make you feel? Do you think I have improved?” 

Madd Matters and Vagabond Blues in Palmer have hosted solo shows of Eric’s work and more recently he is showing in Seattle, and has sold to someone in Europe. Gregory Gusse produced prints for Eric from his originals, and has them for sale at Madd Matters. Pam Strahan of Madd Matters says “very few artists we see have a style. Eric did.” Both Gregg and Pam agree that you look at his work and say “this is Eric” and that his next step would have taken him where “style, expression, and emotion” would reach another level.

The Greek Prometheus Myth project was next on Eric’s agenda and Howard Bess was working with him to acquire funding through a grant. Howard says he enjoyed Eric as the “intellect.”

“He worked hard at understanding life,” Bess said. The project was about the struggle of power and whether it should be shared with common man. Eric wrote in his grant proposal, “We are finally becoming aware of how interconnected we are in the web of life.”

Eric served as juror for Mat-Su College “Eggs-i-bition” in 2007 and he belabored each work of art, seeming to seek the ambitions and desires of the artist who produced the piece. Perhaps this relates to a statement he made on his web site about his desire in his own work “to pull that viewer in, allowing him to explore the subtle feelings I’ve developed while studying a person or thing. Only in the process of painting am I able to articulate what those feelings are. When I see someone stop and look, saying nothing, immersed in the viewing, I know I’ve succeeded.”

Near the end of the production of “Carousel,” the warm lights shone on the citrus colors of the set, like fruit at its peak, plucked from the vine when it is appreciated the most — rare, fine and unforgettable. The character in the play recites, “As long as there is one person who remembers you, it’s not over.” As the actors chat about what is left on earth unfinished, the curtain closes. Reality returns; but the melody continues “how we loved you, how we loved you.”

Suzanne Bach is a Valley artist and teaches at Mat-Su College. Visit Eric Deeter’s Web site http://deeterworks.com to learn more about him and see more of his work.

If you go

Madd Matters in Palmer will show original works by Eric Deeter, on loan from the family, with a reception tonight from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Owners Gregory Gusse and Pam Strahan say the show will be an “introspective look at Eric’s confidence and maturity.” Contact them at 745-6045 or info@alaska-gallery.com for more details.