Tour of Artists Studios attracts art lovers

There's something magical about watching an artist as he or she creates. Hearing the story about the inspiration that led to a work, seeing the paint before it drys or touching the clay before it hardens, all bring the work alive.

Last weekend's Sisters' Tour of Artists Studios (STArS) provided area art enthusiasts with just this opportunity. Seventeen local artists scattered from Plainview in the east to Camp Sherman in the west welcomed the public into their studios for hands-on, close-up looks at their various art forms.

The idea to organize the event came from the collaboration of five local artists: Barbara Berry; Pam Jersey Bird; Karen Z. Ellis; Abigail Merickel; and Deb Sether. The group felt the need to provide art lovers a venue in which they could meet with and talk to area artists within the sanctuaries of their studios.

According to Pam Jersey Bird, the tour attracted many out-of-towners, as well as locals.

"I was surprised. A number of people from out-of-town have come through," she said. These people saw the newspaper advertisements about the tour or learned about it while visiting friends in Sisters and decided to attend. "Everybody was really encouraging. They said: 'This is so wonderful. We've been waiting for something like this.'"

"It was so rewarding to have friends come and visit in my work space..., and it was wonderful to meet new people and take time to visit with them" said Karen Z. Ellis.

"I like the idea of people coming to studios," said Ken Merrill, owner of Canyon Creek Pottery. "It's been my dream to turn Adams Street (Avenue) into more of an artists studio and live here and sell their work here, so when they came up with the idea of people coming to studios, I thought it was a neat idea," said Merrill.

Collectors appreciate learning about the techniques an artist employs.

"A big part of the purpose of the tour is education," said photographer Dorothy Freudenberg, a Tumalo artist who adapts her photographs by using digital technologies and who shared studio space with Bird for the STArS tour.

Going into the event none of the artists had any idea as to whether on not they would have sales.

"Sales have been good. At least, I made my costs back and a little more, so I've been happy with that," said Bird.

"The sales haven't been a lot, but at least it's paid for itself," said Merrill, noting that the exposure is what was important to him. Marc Weber agreed: "Sales were surprisingly good for me, but developing a client base as a newcomer to Sisters and Central Oregon made the event truly worthwhile."

"I think the event will definitely continue again next year," said Bird.