Sisters gears up for art festivities

Sisters is gearing up for its annual celebration of arts and community next weekend.

My Own Two Hands, a fundraiser for the Americana Project, will take place on April 9-10. The two-day event includes the community parade, art stroll and Performing Arts Evening held April 9, and the art auction and party on April 10 at Ponderosa Forge & Iron Works.

There are still a few tickets left for the art auction and party.

"The Saturday night event has garnered quite a reputation for being the party of the year in Sisters and a fantastic way to purchase some world-class art while supporting a worthy local cause," said events director, Katy Yoder.

This year's party will feature the Portland jazz sensation The Shanghai Woolies, known for their hot music from the 1920s and '30s, the flapper jazz and pop of Chicago and New York City.

Yoder said that the two-day event is a means to ensure that "regardless of (school) budget cuts, kids will continue to receive arts and music education."

Images and descriptions of the art donations are on Sisters Folk Festival's Web site. There are 161 art donations, including the "common canvas" tote bags that were created to reflect this year's theme, "Traveling Light."

Final photographic images used to promote the event are also available to the artists to use in their portfolios or for any other marketing endeavors.

"We try to do everything we can to support the artists and to get the word out about the pieces they're creating," said Yoder. "We hope it helps them make some sales based on the exposure they get participating in the fundraiser."

Many downtown businesses that have signed up as stroll location sponsors will host several pieces

during the April 9 art stroll, and individuals and businesses not located in the downtown area are participating as artist sponsors. Both sponsorships are a big help in funding the event.

"The community involvement around this event is wonderful," said Yoder. "There are so many ways people can get involved, from donating art, participating in the Common Canvas Project, volunteer hours, sponsorships and cash donations."

The performing arts evening at Bronco Billy's features music from Americana Project students. It carries a ticket price of $5; $10 for a ticket and a bowl of Bronco Billy's chili. Proceeds also go to the Americana Project.

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 programming in the schools, including guitar-building, recording, artist guest appearances, student scholarships, teacher training in arts education and many other yearlong arts-education offerings through the Americana Project.

"It's just a celebration of living in Sisters," Yoder said.

To view the art donated for this year's auction, visit http://www.sistersfolkfestival.org

and follow the links to My Own Two Hands. Contact Katy Yoder at 541-549-4979, or e-mail [email protected] for tickets or information.