Project meshes art and music

Sisters students made art from old guitars.

Using guitars as their canvasses, students at Sisters high school have designed and created 11 unique pieces of art. The students' guitars, along with another 13 painted by local artists, will be auctioned off on Saturday, March 9, to raise funds for the ongoing Americana Project.

The guitar art will also be featured at local businesses during the Painted Strings Art Stroll on March 1.

"The Painted Strings project has been a lot of fun," said Mike Baynes, who teaches art at the high school. "It has been a learning experience for all of us. Painting on a three dimensional form requires more skill -- it's much more complex. I've been impressed by how the kids have stepped up to the challenge, though. This has become more than an art project for them."

Americana Project coordinator Brad Tisdel presented the Painted Strings project to the students several months ago.

"In the beginning, I talked to the students about American roots music," said Tisdel. "But I left the art project open to interpretation. They didn't have to stick to musical themes. The shape of the guitar evokes a musical presence. They were free to create and explore."

The concepts the students chose for their projects varied widely. From racial diversity to rock n' roll, the themes of the finished guitars were as unique as their creators.

Most of the students paired up for the project. Mauri Matsuda and Amber Randall worked together to put the finishing touches on a piece they titled "Music Connections."

Their eye-catching work of art featured two hands reaching up from the guitar -- one at the top of the neck and one from out of the sound hole. One hand was flesh toned, the other painted a darker shade. The two artists had "restrung" their guitar, securing the strings between the fingers of each hand.

"We wanted to do something different," said Randall, a junior. "Mr. Baynes actually gave us the idea for the hands. We painted them different colors to represent two different races."

"It was a fun project," said Matsuda, a senior. "It was good for me to have the experience of working with another person."

Alexis Buck and Natasha Froehlich dubbed their creation "Lollaplooza" after a popular music festival.

"We wanted to do different faces and music," said Buck. "We started with a rock theme, then kind of ended with American Jazz."

The students' art teacher is impressed by the dedication shown in the project.

"I'm really stoked by all the time the students have put into their projects," said Baynes.

"They are emotionally connected to this thing -- they have really put their hearts into it. It will be a sad day in the art room when all the guitars are gone."