My Own Two Hands art show on tap

A "My Own Two Hands" art exhibit will be held at Sisters Art Works beginning this week. The show will continue until the art pieces are displayed at Art Stroll locations on April 9.

A variety of pieces will be shown in the Sisters Art Works foyer and inside Sisters Folk Festival's performing arts area.

"Some of the pieces will change during the show," said festival events director Katy Yoder. "As pieces are taken to stroll locations throughout Sisters, we'll replace them with others."

My Own Two Hands is an annual event produced by Sisters Folk Festival to raise money for the Sisters Americana Project. The theme for the 2010 fundraiser is "Traveling Light." The community parade, art stroll and performing arts evening will be held April 9 in downtown Sisters, with the art auction and party set for April 10 at Ponderosa Forge & Iron Works.

The participation of businesses as sponsors and artists sharing their amazing skills is a testimony to the importance of the arts in Sisters Country.

"We couldn't be happier with the donations this year," said Yoder. "The quality and generosity of the pieces being donated is fantastic. Sisters businesses and residents, as well as some from the larger region, have stepped up to support this event as well."

Since 2001, the Sisters Americana Project has been a catalyst in the Sisters schools, helping to maintain music and arts education in the midst of dwindling funding. Considered a "community-themed art project," My Own Two Hands offers the opportunity for artists of all ages throughout Sisters, Central Oregon and the region to participate by creating pieces of art around a central theme.

"This year's theme evoked some amazing ideas," said Yoder. "It's important to come up with a concept that encourages our contributing artists to interpret the theme in unique ways."

My Own Two Hands was awarded "Fundraising Event of the Year" in 2006 by the Oregon Festival and Events Association, and is the primary funding source for arts programming in the schools, including guitar-building, recording, artist guest appearances, student scholarships, teacher trainings in arts education and many other year-long arts-education offerings through the Americana Project.

Hundreds of students in Sisters participate in the My Own Two Hands celebration, with the guidance of the Americana Project instructors, Brad Tisdel, Kit Stafford, Gary Bowne and Clay Warburton. For more information, visit the Sisters Folk Festival Web site at http://www.sistersfolkfestival.org.