Friends open art studio

A group of women artists is forming a working art studio in Sisters where they can join one another in creating artwork in each of their respective mediums.

The grand opening is set for this weekend in connection with the Art Stroll and My Own Two Hands.

The Way We Art is the brainchild of Alma Cox, Julie Patton, Tricia Biesmann and Cindy Summerfield, who were together at a Christmas party three years ago when they began sharing with one another ideas of a special place where they could work together from time to time.

"Before long, we had totally forgotten about the party going on around us as we huddled on a couch, and the ideas just kept coming," said Patton.

The group continued meeting, and eventually talking turned to planning, and finally they took the leap and leased a corner space on Hood Avenue, near Zadow Physical Therapy and Pine Meadow Ranch to make the dream a reality.

The group plans to open for sales one weekend a month but will be open by appointment for other special events and throughout the Quilt Show. In addition, the group hopes to offer classes from time to time.

"We wanted a cozy, inviting place where we could be together and occasionally include the public to join us for events, sales and classes," said Biesmann.

The studio is designed for each of the members to be able to create and display her own unique artistic pieces.

Patton, a knitter primarily, also looks to expand her repertoire to include articles made from "repurposed" fabric.

"For example, you can take an old sweater, felt the wool, cut it up and make something altogether new," she said.

Cox, a visual artist, has created an art form she calls "Telemedera Fusion," which combines fabric and wood in painting. Her works tend to be large, abstract pieces.

"We have fun teaching each other what we know, so we're constantly sharing and trying new things," said Cox.

Her son, Riley, came up with the name for the studio.

Biesmann, who teaches at Sisters Middle School with Patton and also focuses on knitted and crocheted items, loves the collaboration of the group.

"Sometimes we decide to learn something that is new for all of us," she said.

Biesmann makes a wide variety of items, including felted purses and bags, knitted shawls, hats, blankets and Chakra wall hangings.

The final member of the group, Cindy Summerfield, who is currently living in Hong Kong where she started her own clothing line called "Denim and Silk" will be back in Sisters for the opening.

The Way We Art didn't make the map for the Art Stroll, but the group hopes that word of mouth will let people know that everyone is invited to stop by. The studio will be open Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.