North Port Art Center celebrates Dee Dee Gozion on her retirement

NORTH PORT — “There wasn’t a blade of grass that didn’t have a car on it,” North Port Art Center’s Executive Director Dee Dee Gozion said, referring to a retirement party held in her honor.

More than 75 people attended the celebration on Friday, including Mayor Alice White and former City Commissioner Jill Luke, both longtime supporters of the arts in North Port.

Gozion has been with the nonprofit since 2015, taking charge as director in 2018.

Over the years, she and the center have offered galleries, classes, help to veterans and those with special needs, after-school programs and monthly senior paint parties.

They help beginner and expert levels of artists with such programs.

Gozion is retiring so she can spend more time with her mother in California. She will spend some months in North Port still, but said the director’s position simply cannot be done in a remote capacity. So she is passing off the torch — or paintbrush.

She is currently helping Robin Tierney, the incoming director, with finding her footing, training her up.

Tierney said Gozion has a pair of “beautiful” shoes to fill.

The center has long been a haven for local artists, and even to those around the world, too, according to Gozion.

In 2020, during the pandemic, they even had Zoom art classes. People from England, Australia and around the globe attended the classes hosted in “little old North Port.”

Most people who have at some point been affiliated with the North Port Art Center will have run into Gozion.

And while she is leaving her role, Gozion said she is still going to be involved with proceedings.

In California, she may even look for “sister centers.”

And back in North Port, Tierney has big plans.

“Frankly we’re outgrowing this location,” Tierney said, suggesting a future move to a larger venue.

She believes a bigger location will help them better serve the community, and even help them continue to “save lives.”

Tierney said the center and Gozion have truly helped people in dire straits over the years.

Gozion is immensely thankful for the party that was held in her honor and is excited for what the future has to offer.

“It was unexpected,” she said of some of the unique aspects offered Friday, such as a thank you letter table.

“The people at the art center are very creative,” Gozion said.