Community can participate in hands-on arts day

Kit Stafford, art instructor for the Sisters Americana Project and her art students are preparing for the My Own Two Hands arts fundraiser and the community parade on April 9. They are building a quilt with their own two hands, along with other art projects.

This Saturday, March 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Sisters Middle School there will be a Common Canvas Community Arts Day. My Own Two Hands is giving folks in Sisters the opportunity to be the artist, working with their own two hands to create a personal tote.

It's all being done in preparation for the My Own Two Hands Art Stroll, Chili Feed and parade on April 9, followed by the Art Auction and Party at Ponderosa Forge on April 10.

The project reflects this year's art theme, "Traveling Light."

"Traveling Light represents the spirit of giving," said Stafford. "It's what you can do when you work together."

Several artists will be on hand to help with the take-home art projects. Artists are encouraged to bring some personal treasures to artistically add to the tote or to share with others.

If you desire a different canvas, willows wrapped with paper may better serve to "lighten" your life. The willow lanterns can be illuminated with a glow stick.

"Common Canvas is a way to say thank you to our community of Sisters," Stafford said. "No experience is required. Everything is gifted to the public and people can carry their canvas bags in the parade."

Sue Yocum, of Black Crater Clothing, made the canvas totes, but if you prefer to create your art on flat canvas before it is sewn, that is also an option.

There are four projects for the elementary school that have to do with the Traveling Light theme: wings, lanterns, suitcases, and lightning. While lightning may seem like an odd way to travel light, Stafford explained that lightning is light that travels. The students have learned a new stenciling technique to create some lightning masterpieces.

"Students learn about light and the destinies of light," Stafford said. "Refraction, retraction, and reflection."

Some Sisters Elementary School students will wear wings during the parade on April 9, while other students carry equally vivid lanterns and suitcases.

The artists participating in the community art day on March 13 are Teafly, Paula Bullwinkel, Carolyn Platt, art teacher at Sisters Middle School, and Kit Stafford.

The Americana Project is the educational outreach for Sisters Folk Festival, Inc.