Sisters Library hosts annual art exhibit

Just as the winter solstice starts bringing longer days of sunlight to warm our souls, so comes the Sisters Library Art Exhibit every January, sponsored by the Friends of the Sisters Library (FOSL).

The exhibit got its beginning with the celebration that welcomed the new library in Sisters four years ago, with dazzling objets d' art from artists throughout the Sisters area. This year, the art exhibit will begin with a reception for the public and artists on Friday evening, January 22 with FOSL serving hors d'oeuvres and beverages from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

The exhibit will close on February 25.

Local artist Paul Bennett, a member of the FOSL Art Committee, said, "I'm always impressed with the variety of work and the number of new artists (new to me) who enter the show. It makes me think that everyone in Sisters is doing art of some kind in their spare time. We are a creative community, and I can hardly wait to see what will be submitted!" 

Artwork submission will take place Wednesday, January 20, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Sisters Library Community Room. Works must be left for the entire length of the show. All artwork must be labeled. (To make it easy, the FOSL Art Committee has sent labels in the invitation mailed to artists who have displayed their work previously.) 

The art welcomes any artist in the area to submit their work to the exhibit. This is not an exhibit by invitation only; they need only to stop by the library for an invitation.

Sarah and Francois Arends, of Tollgate, a husband-and-wife team who will be showing glass and stone mosaics and crafted wood furniture this year, find timing and opportunity to their liking as they prepare to show their work.

"It's tough finding the time to finish off our ideas," Francois said, "but with that deadline of the 20th staring us in the face, we know we have to get going."

Both enjoy searching for materials that can be recycled as an art form. The vase that Sarah used to apply her mosaic glass was found at Habitat for Humanity, as were slabs of slate, cedar, oak and other materials the Arends' use in their art pieces.

Due to limited space, the art committee asks that no more than three pieces of wall-hung art and five pieces of other art forms - such as jewelry, ceramics, sculpture, etc. - be submitted. Pottery, sculpture, jewelry, etc. will be placed in the locked display case in the entryway. If the artwork is too large for the case, it will be displayed on a shelf or table in the library.

If someone wants to purchase art, it would be helpful for the purchaser to get to know the artist better, so artists will be asked to bring a one-page biography that includes a description of their work, as well as where they can be contacted, where more of their work can be seen, and include any other information the public might be interested in knowing.

For more information and specific submission guidelines, contact FOSL Art Committee chairpersons, Zeta Seiple, 541-549-6157 or Paul Bennett, 541-549-9756.