Sisters Art Works celebrates opening

The Sisters community turned out in force on Saturday, December 3, to celebrate the grand opening of Sisters Art Works.

The arts center hosts the 5 Elements Healing Arts Center, offices for Sisters’ music festivals, a performance venue and work space for several Sisters artists.

Many artists had their wares on display and for sale at the event.

“We offered tables for people who don’t have a station in the building to sell their work,” said Erin Deggendorfer, arts center manager.

A good portion of the art was holiday related. Janet Zuelke offered gingerbread waffles and holiday wreaths. Americana Project students performed and Mike Bidasolo cooked cedar plank sausage for patrons, with the funds raised going to Sisters Little League.

About 40 people brought pets for a photo session with Santa. Proceeds were donated to The Nugget’s Furry Friends Pet Food Drive.

“They were basically all dogs — except for one goat and one cat,” Deggendorfer said.

Deggendorfer, whose parents Kathy and Frank own the building, said the event was a success.

“The whole point was to showcase the building and at the same time (practice) what the building is all about, which is spirit of community throughout the arts,” she said.

Sisters Art Works has already played host to a couple of concerts and a standing-room-only photo exhibition by Brent McGregor. More plans are afoot for the facility, which is expected to become a hub of the arts community in Sisters.

“We’re hoping to do a farmers’ market and perhaps a permanent venue like an outdoor stage,” Deggendorfer said.

Kathy Deggendorfer spearheaded the project with the aim of using the arts as an engine to drive Sisters toward a more diverse and vital year-round economy based on performance, the fine arts and the healing arts.