Longtime owner of Coeur d’Alene Art Spirit Gallery dies

Steve Gibbs, longtime owner of The Art Spirit Gallery in downtown Coeur d’Alene, died Saturday afternoon. He was 64.

Gibbs, who had been making plans to retire after running his gallery for 20 years, was diagnosed with ALS in June. The degenerative neuromuscular disease is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Artist Sheila Evans said she got word Saturday morning that Gibbs had entered hospice care.

“It hit him so hard,” she said. “I’m surprised at how fast it went. I know that it can go more slowly for people.”

He talked about the disease with a Spokesman-Review reporter this past fall, when he was still getting around fairly well with a cane. He went on a late summer camping trip and even went zip lining for the first time, even as he made plans for his gallery to continue without him.

“I want to keep this place going and keep art and community strong in downtown Coeur d’Alene,” Gibbs said at the time.

Evans said Gibbs encouraged her to try painting enamel instead of the oils and watercolors she was accustomed to. It turned out to be a rousing success.

“I’m really grateful that I got the chance to work with him and he set me on the path that I’m on,” she said.

Gibbs’ diagnosis came just as he was making plans to retire so he could go camping and travel with his partner, Debi Terracciano. Those plans he made ensure the gallery will continue to showcase local artists in his absence, Evans said.

“The gallery will go on, but of course, his personality was a big part of everything,” she said. “A gallery is a tough business and he made it work.”

A memorial service is being planned. Details will be announced at a later date.