Sarah Deans was born in Christchurch into a family of well known professional artists. She gained a Diploma from London’s Inchbald School of Design, and upon her return to Canterbury completed a two year study of watercolour as well as further study at the CSA and Summer schools at the University.

For the next 15 years from 1983-1998 Sarah exhibited regularly in Society of Arts Exhibitions including the CSA. At that time she also exhibited in the Robert McDougal Gallery, the Suter Gallery, Nelson and Aigantighe Gallery in Timaru. Early in the 1990’s she established her Sarah Deans Art School in the Arts Centre.