Sisters ‘Makes Time’ for celebration

A visitor to Sisters on Friday, April 8, would have been forgiven for thinking she’d stumbled into a Mardi Gras.

The MarchFourth Marching Band, attired in a wild combination of uniforms, sombreros and gypsy garb were blowing the tent roof off of Bronco Billy’s Ranch Grill & Saloon while a packed crowd of Sisters folks ranging in age from five to 75 danced away the evening.

The performance was the culmination of the My Own Two Hands “Make Time” Art Stroll and Chili Feed, which was part of a weekend of arts-oriented fund-raising activities in Sisters. Strollers visited shops and galleries throughout the town, entertained by a range of local musicians.

Bronco Billy’s served up the chili while Americana Project students from the elementary, middle and high schools performed on the stage.

Americana Project director Brad Tisdel, with assistance from Brent Alan and middle school coordinator Kit Stafford, showcased the students from a roots music education program that started in Sisters High School and has since been expanded to the elementary and middle school.The crowd was dazzled by the high-energy performance of the MarchFourth Marching Band. The band remained the talk of the town the next evening at Ponderosa Forge & Iron Works where hundreds of art enthusiasts from all over Oregon gathered for yet another party and an art auction that raised funds for the Americana Project and other arts programs in Sisters schools.

Jeff Wester’s shop was transformed into an art gallery with hundreds of pieces displayed for a silent auction and 34 pieces staged for a live auction conducted by Dennis Turman, with assistance from My Own Two hands founder Kathy Deggendorfer.

Bidding was fast and furious for the wide range of works by top-notch professional artists such as Tom Browning, Dan Rickards, Ingrid Lustig, Jerry Werner and John Simpkins.

Cary Lathan-Weigand earned an Award of Merit for her porcelain figurine “Seyella.”

Steve Frandsen was honored for his jewelry piece “Stolen Moments” and Helen Brown’s painting “Keeping Time” was another award winner.

The student Merit Award went to Maren Burck for a stunning raku clock piece titled “Raku Houses.”

Tisdel noted that Burck is a “an aspiring artist, a student who is already doing professional work.”

The Americana Folk Award went to Teafly for “Make Time” and the Clock Master’s Award went to Clen Corbett for “Spring Time.”

The program raised more than $85,000, which will help fund the Americana Project and arts programs in all three Sisters schools.

(Photos of student performances are available in The Nugget’s Photo Gallery at http://www.nuggetnews.com).