Keeping the arts alive

Published 1:30 am Friday, April 3, 2026

The San Juan Islands Museum of Art has officially named their Atrium Gallery the Susan and Gary Sterner Atrium. It was their “obvious care for the arts and the museum itself,” SJIMA Director Blake DeYoung said, which led the SJIMA’s board to decide to name the Atrium in their honor.

“Some write checks, some donate their time,” DeYoung told the Journal, adding that both are extremely valuable and greatly appreciated.“There is a third category, like the Sterners, who do both.”

After visiting the islands via Road Scholars, the Sterners found themselves returning over and over again, finally moving to San Juan permanently in 2011, on April Fools’ Day. But it was no joke. Already connected with the San Juan Community Theatre from their previous visits, Gary and Susan found themselves increasingly involved there. Over time, they have made a huge impact on the Theatre. Director Nathan Kessler- Jeffery said, “Gary and Susan Sterner have been patrons, donors, CATS members, and incredible volunteers at San Juan Community Theatre for many, many years. They are regular attenders at theatre, music, and educational performances. They’ve served as front-of-house volunteers, taking tickets and ushering. They attend and support the Theatre financially through our Holiday Festival and Summer Gala fundraisers and our Ovation Legacy Society.”

The couple has volunteered for numerous Community Arts Theatre Society events over the years, including the annual Elegant Edibles bake sale (occurring April 4 this year). “Personally, I’ve benefited many times from their historical knowledge of our Theatre and their wisdom on business and fundraising. San Juan Community Theatre would not be the institution it is today without their participation and generosity,” Kessler-Jeffery said.

“People here were very friendly,” Susan said about their first arrival. They volunteered and attended the Community Thanksgiving, in those days at the Grange, in part to meet people, and in part to do some community good. The community has adored them in return. For example, when asked if Kessler-Jeffrey had any stories about working with the Sternes, he responded, “There are too many!”

One of his favorite things about the Sterners, he said, is that they’re very considerate in how and when they share their wisdom. “In an age when we are constantly having information pushed upon us (I’m looking at you, social media), Gary and Susan are good about making space for conversation, thought, and consideration. I can’t count the number of times Gary has asked to meet, and I came out of our meeting with some of the best wisdom we needed right at that moment!”

SJIMA board member Kim Miller says of the Sterners, “[They] know the value of having and living in a community that is thriving and supportive to our arts community – I see them often at our Community Theatre too. I don’t know of their other contributions to other nonprofits but I can imagine there are many. Gary and Susan attend church on Sundays and afterwards go to the Art Museum for another and additional spiritual experience. Gary and Susan have been wonderful advisors to me in my new role as President of The Board Of Trustees.”

Of SJIMA in particular, Gary praises its riveting exhibits.

“I didn’t have any special feelings about museums, [until SJIMA captured his attention]” Gary said. “They have done a great job trying to make it exciting.”

He cites previous exhibits like “A War Never Ends” featuring art, photos and stories from Vietnam veterans, and the Indigenous art exhibit “Emergence” as examples.

For Susan, the museum offers a chance to consider the past, present and future. It also works with upcoming artists to develop talent in the present and look at what needs to happen in the future.

“Quite a few people have contributed to the museum, so it’s a camaraderie [that] keeps the spirit alive,” Susan said.

That camaraderie is important within all nonprofits. Kessler-Jeffery notes that “Every successful non-profit organization thrives because of relationships. I am always grateful for the volunteer work and the generosity of the Sterners, but the thing I cherish most is their time, their wisdom, their kindness, and the way they have invested in the people and relationships here.”

The arts are important, Susan says, because it makes people use their minds, and it’s stimulating.

But the arts aren’t all they volunteer for. They can often be found during the summer at the Lime Kiln State Park’s Information Center, and have also been involved with Wolf Hollow.

When asked if, through their work with nonprofits, they have concerns about the island community, the couple touched on housing and lack of resources.

“There is another side to society we don’t see,” Gary said, “I don’t even know fully what they are, because other organizations are working on them.”

Concerns about housing, about the unseen struggling members of the island, led them to contribute to the Joyce L. Sobel Family Resource Center.

“The older population and younger people don’t have the resources they need,” Susan explained, and the Family Resource Center has been working tirelessly on robust programs for seniors, youth, island families and other vulnerable members of the community.

Knowing how much the Sterners have affected not just the SJIMA, but the arts, the environments and the community, it was a no-brainer when the SJIMA board discussed naming the Atrium Gallery after them. DeYoung told the Journal that once the decision was made, they reached out to the original designers of the museum to make the gallery’s new sign. The result was a perfect match to the original SJIMA designs.

Gary and Susan were both surprised, blown away even, when the sign was unveiled.

“Gary and Susan have been great financial supporters of the Museum and know the value of having an Art Museum on the island for locals, young and old, and in-between and for our visitors,” Miller said. “They are just dear people! And I am grateful and proud to know them and call them my friends.”