About me

Hello All, I figured my first blog can be about me, just so you know my background while reading some of my mental ramblings on art and culture. I live in Arnolds Park and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from The College of Visual Arts in St. Paul, MN. I serve as Secretary on the ArtsLIVE Board of Directors and freelance graphic design for conceptual art in print and web media. I paint pottery, mostly food safe bowls for artistic meditation and to challenge myself in design and color theory. I developed the "Keep Okoboji Blue" brand in efforts to educate the public on lake water quality. I took my first acting gig this past winter in the "Vagina Monologues" and loved every minute of it. I am becoming the avid cyclist and am training for this summer's triathlons. I practice most of my spirituality in nature and find peace and clarity among the outdoors. I love life and am inspired at every moment.

My husband, Scott Baumgard, and I own and operate The Wine Bar and Art Gallery on Broadway Street in Arnolds Park. Scott knows me best and loves me well enough to understand all of the Deidres - Which can be quite the job. : ) He is supportive and expects me to be strongly independent. I have to admit he is the reason I feel so lucky.

In general, I love laughter and am in full wonderment at all times. I may kindly challenge the status quo and truly believe our area can be a creative economy. Through my blog I hope to bring awareness to our sense of place when it comes to art and culture. To express that here at the lakes we are rich in life because we understand and appreciate the diversity of a creative economy.