Sisters Art Works hosts art show

Back again after a year's absence, the eclectic art show at Sisters Art Works last Saturday drew a healthy crowd and provided a venue for exposure for artists and fund-raising for several local organizations.

Visitors arrived to find Santa kicked back on the porch, often sharing his couch with a pooch (see related story, page 15). Upstairs and downstairs every little cubbyhole of the building was filled with something of interest.

Local artist and former Sisters Charter Academy of Fine Arts teacher Antonietta Del Guidice was showing her creations in an example of domestic enterprise.

"I wanted to be here to not only show some of my work but also to remind people that I provide private art lessons. That has been occupying a lot of my time since I left the charter school," she said.

Not far away the Sisters Folk Festival was represented by Katy Yoder in a booth that provided community awareness and was serving as a fund-raiser. "We are going to go green this year at the folk festival. We are trying to eliminate some of the waste and are encouraging everyone to purchase a bottle or travel mug so that they can just refill and not need to use disposable cups," she said.

The folk festival is a major draw for Sisters and provides a source of revenue for Sisters schools by funding the Americana Project. Brad Tisdel, Americana Project executive director, was on hand to celebrate the release of his new CD "On Your Way," and the new CD was available for purchase at the folk festival table.

Bend artist Chris Friesen was showing photographic examples of her murals and "trompe l'oeil" that have found homes in the Sisters area. "I really enjoy being here. Sisters is like a second home to me, and I have done quite a bit of work here in the area," she said.

The Happy Hounds 4-H club's table was an absolute hit with pet owners. Christmas themed scarves for dogs were providing proof that creative enterprise can succeed even in a cooling economy. "We are really selling a lot of these scarves, but the big ones are selling better than the smaller ones. I guess that means there are more big dogs here than small dogs. We thought there were about the same number of each in the area," said club member Cooper Gould, who was very professionally handling sales.

Fiber arts were not forgotten. Silk and woolen creations were to be found at the table of Sisters artist Hedwich Jacobs. The display provided a very global outlook toward fiber arts with silk scarves and felt dolls that gave an international feel to the local event.

"The scarves are made from silk threads that are the leftover pieces from cottage industries in India. I take them and spin them into longer fibers and then create the scarves. It provides a wonderful scarf and helps the women in India who are struggling to make a living in their cottage industries," said Jacobs.

The dolls and figurines at Jacobs table were also an unusual sight for the less traveled.

"I make these out of raw wool, mostly from sheep, but I also use some llama wool. I hand felt them using a felting needle, and they provide an unusual gift that has the artisan feel that is missing in most modern mass produced items," she said.

Well-known, local photographer Conrad Weiler was serving double duty. He was representing the Sisters Area Photography Club (SAPC) promoting sales of the group's 2008 calendar, as well as helping out with photography for the Furry Friends fund-raiser. The photo club is a rapidly growing organization in the area and is providing some exceptional images of Sisters' surrounds, some of which are spotlighted in the new calendar.

"To get a picture in the calendar is an accomplishment. They are submitted and juried. Then, there is a final selection that is made for the calendar. There are all levels of photographic ability in the club, and even novices can have images that can be published," said Weiler.

The calendar can be purchased from club members and at various outlets around town.