Art Stroll puts art lovers out on the street

Saturday's Taste of Sisters Art Stroll brought out visitors and locals alike to sample wine and hors d'oeuvres and view the works of local artists at galleries throughout Sisters.

A dozen Sisters retailers joined in the revelry, offering wine and repast to enhance the art experience, keeping strollers satiated along their path. It was a tight squeeze through galleries and shops as people clustered to enjoy more food, wine and the creations of local artists.

DonTerra offered a banquet of appetizers from Chloé at FivePine. Teri Applegarth, who owns DonTerra along with her husband and son, brought in chocolates fashioned by J.E.M., which will be a new item sold at their shop.

High Desert Gallery offered the opportunity to meet artist Paul Alan Bennett, while across the street Mac-Kenzie Creek Trading Company featured taste samplings from The Gallery Restaurant.

The highlight of the art gallery trail was the prior evening's artistic creations when artists were challenged to create one painting in two-and-a-half hours.

"This is the first year for the Quick Draw part. But it's really about the people who come together for this event," said Dan Rickards, the artist whose wife and business partner, Julia, came up with the idea for the event. Together they own Clearwater Gallery.

"It's a cool idea for restaurants and artists to be together, and so many people with the artists," said artist Clay Warburton, who demonstrated his creative prowess at Three Creeks Brewing Co. on Friday.

Fiber artist Tami Meritt worked side by side with Warburton at Three Creeks on her creative project. She makes jewelry for relaxation.

Her work was displayed at her shop, Desert Charm, on Hood Avenue.

Jennifer Lake Gallery offered delicacies created by Executive Chef for The Lodge at Suttle Lake, Michael L. Valoppi. His pear wine soup with anise was a crowd pleaser allowing art lovers to enjoy wine in a different format.