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As an artist and a former teacher, Mimi Deaton is spending her retirement sharing her passion for art with others by volunteering at The Blanton Museum of Art. Because of this selfless act, Querencia at Barton Creek senior living community is recognizing Deaton as the third recipient of the 2011 Querencia Salute to Seniors Award. Martha Bradshaw, manager of visitor and volunteer services for The Blanton, nominated Deaton for the honor.
“Mimi’s commitment to The Blanton stems from her love of art,” said Bradshaw. “A retired teacher, Mimi has been an integral part of all the family and school programs we have provided over the last five years. She is great with visitors of all ages, helping them to enter the museum and find just the right place to start their museum visit. In addition to being hard working and reliable, Mimi is always very fun. Our staff members look forward to working with her every week!”
The Querencia Salute to Seniors Award is presented quarterly to honor an individual who is making a difference in their community. Qualified nominees are active adults age 62 and above who volunteer their time and talents to their communities and who also exemplify leadership, spirit, and citizenship.
“Art is such an important facet of the Austin community, and The Blanton is such a unique museum,” said Leslie Dominguez, director of sales and marketing for Querencia at Barton Creek. “Our residents enjoy visiting The Blanton, and I’m guessing that some have been greeted by Mrs. Deaton on their visits. We are happy to honor her for the service she provides to our community.”
Deaton was taking an art class when one of the instructors suggested she become a docent at The Blanton. After starting as a docent, Deaton decided she’d rather be a volunteer. She started volunteering before they opened their new buildings in 2006 and she’s been greeting visitors every week in the Michener Gallery building ever since.
“I hope to put a good face on The Blanton so visitors feel welcomed and are greeted by someone with a smile,” said Deaton. “I like to talk with the patrons and kid with them and make their visit pleasant. We have visitors from all over and I want them to think Texans are friendly and to go away with a good feeling.”
Deaton’s primary role at The Blanton is to greet people as they come in. She offers them maps, shows them the lockers, explains how the museum is laid out, and helps them however necessary. She particularly enjoys greeting the children and telling them about the things in the museum that will interest them. This past summer, Deaton took her own puppets to the museum to assist with The Blanton’s children’s storytime. She also frequently helps the museum when they have special events.
Deaton retired from teaching after 35 years. When she’s not volunteering at The Blanton, she ushers at the Zachary Scott Theater and at the Texas Performing Arts Center at the University of Texas. She also enjoys spending time with her husband, four children and four grandchildren.
The Blanton Museum of Art at The University of Texas (blantonmuseum.org) at Austin is one of the foremost university art museums in the country and has the largest and most comprehensive collection of art in Central Texas. The museum welcomes and engages all visitors by offering personal, extraordinary experiences that connect art and ideas, reaching within and beyond The University of Texas campus to stimulate the thriving, creative community that is Austin, Texas. The Blanton's permanent collection of more than 17,000 works is recognized for its European paintings, an encyclopedic collection of prints and drawings, and modern and contemporary American and Latin American art.
About Querencia at Barton Creek
Querencia at Barton Creek is a premier life care retirement resort located at Barton Creek Boulevard and Chalk Knoll Drive in Austin, Texas, less than a mile from Barton Creek Resort & Club. The 400,000-square-foot retirement resort features 167 independent living residences, including 10 villas, on 38 acres. Residences are available in one-, two- and three-bedroom floor plans ranging in size from 830 square feet to more than 2,200 square feet. The Plaza at Querencia features assisted living apartment homes in one- and two-bedroom designs, memory support suites, private nursing rooms for long-term care, and Medicare-certified private suites for short-term rehabilitation.
Querencia at Barton Creek (QuerenciaBartonCreek.com) is 501©3 not-for-profit retirement community sponsored by Senior Quality Lifestyles Corporation (SQLC), a Texas-based nonprofit organization that sponsors sister communities Edgemere in Dallas, The Buckingham in Houston, Mirador in Corpus Christi, and The Stayton at Museum Way under construction in Fort Worth. For information, visit the website, or call (512) 410-2429.
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