Carol Ann Schwennesen passed away on May 27, 2023, in Seattle, Washington. She was born August 28, 1945, in Orange, California, to Jarvis Larson Schwennesen and Marie Theresa Riedel. The eldest of eight children, Carol was raised in Idaho and Belgium. In Brussels, Carol learned to speak fluent French and cherished occasional visits to the tiny, local chocolatier near her home: Godiva chocolates. In Idaho Falls, Carol regularly went fly-fishing with her father and formed a deep appreciation for nature that shaped her life. Carol also developed interests in art and music that carried from her early years of playing the organ for her church at the age of twelve to studying art at Valparaiso University.
She married Stephen Eric Pohl in 1966 and raised three children, Aaron, Molly, and Leslie, while moving frequently as a Navy family to locations such as Midway Island, Guam, and the Philippines. Upon her separation from Stephen, she completed her undergraduate studies, double majoring in Art History (BA) and Studio Art (BFA) at Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington. Carol finished magna cum laude and was selected as the Outstanding Graduate and Commencement Speaker for the Department of Art in 1984. Continuing her education, Carol attended graduate school at Claremont Graduate University in California, receiving her Master of Fine Arts in 1987. She earned widespread recognition for her work, including being nominated for a National Award in the Visual Arts in 1987 and receiving attention from the film industry: Three of her paintings were selected for the 1988 film, “Beetlejuice.”
A professional artist, Carol’s visionary paintings are in collections in Italy, England, Japan, and across the United States. While she continued to receive acclaim for her artistic endeavours and exhibitions, Carol was equally dedicated to teaching art and has spent decades inspiring and mentoring art students. While primarily a college instructor, teaching at institutions such as the University of California, Davis, and Scripps College in California, Carol delighted in encouraging artistic growth in persons of all ages through visiting K-12 schools, supporting the King County Summer Teen Program, and through individual lessons. Carol Schwennesen moved to Vashon Island in 1990, impacting countless islanders in the past few decades through Art in Schools, the DOVE Project, art tours, mentoring and art exhibitions. Many locals enjoy her beautiful paintings in their homes.
Carol was cherished by her students. Jenifer Henke, a former student, liked Carol so much that she introduced her to her father, Jerry Gehrke, who lived in Italy. Their chemistry was undeniable and unconstrained by the Atlantic Ocean, and they were married in 2000. After a few years together in Italy, Carol brought Jerry back to Vashon Island, where they built a home and have lived for twenty years. When not painting in the studio, Carol could be found caring for their beautiful gardens or meandering along Vashon’s beaches as she collected rocks, always seeking connectivity and inspiration from nature.
After a long illness, Carol passed peacefully in her sleep, surrounded by loved ones. She is survived by her husband Jerry Gehrke, her remaining four siblings, and her three children, Aaron Pohl, Molly Costello, and Leslie Pohl. Leslie, now residing in Gig Harbor, is a 1993 graduate of Vashon High School and served Vashon as a firefighter and paramedic for many years. She is also survived by her three beloved grandchildren, Alexander and Grace Costello and Jaxson Knight, as well as numerous cherished friends.
In her own words, “Painting is a visible track left by human inquiry into human potential.” Carol Schwennesen leaves a beautiful trail of evocative and transformative art, a reflection of her life and an inspiration to all of us who have been lucky enough to know her.
**In lieu of flowers, please consider donating blood. She benefitted from this generosity many times during her illness and would wish to support others, similarly.**
