Event raises thousands for art programs

There was no finer place to be last Saturday night than the My Own Two Hands Art Auction and Party at Ponderosa Forge & Ironworks.

This year's crowning charity event proved to be a monumental evening of music, merriment and magnanimous support with an eruption of creativity flowing over the workspace walls, benches and tables.

No less than 158 pieces of donated art in every conceivable form were presented for sale in either live or silent auction format, all to benefit the Sisters Americana Project and visual arts programs in Sisters schools.

This year's theme, "Traveling Light," and all the notions and nuances it inspires, provided a subtle guideline for artists to interpret in their chosen medium.

The event was the culmination of two days of arts events, including a community parade, art stroll and a performing arts evening at Bronco Billy's Ranch Grill and Saloon (see related story, page 3).

On Saturday night, music by Portland's own eight-piece ensemble The Shanghai Woolies started out the party with a smoldering set of jazz/swing oldies reminiscent of Chicago prohibition-era speakeasies.

Their fiery-haired lead singer, Mel Kubik, resplendent in a midnight blue gown, belted out torch songs and big band tunes while guests staked out prime seats, mingled amid the bountiful art and readied their bidding cards.

In the crowded aisles of the silent auction room, people squeezed in to make last-minute bids on oil and watercolor paintings, photographs, jewelry, and a custom French chef's knife. Fine woodworker and artist Dougal Haines reported that his trip to Ashland last week to deliver his Buddhist Center doors went well.

"The drive was mellow and the van didn't die so it was a success. I was headed for Mexico but ran out of gas money and turned around at Mount Shasta," he joked.

Sisters' Kim Luckini, in a robin's-egg blue party dress, vintage rabbit stole and cowboy boots, loitered around a coveted Oriental fountain, attempting to distract would-be bidders in what she called, her "cowgirl prom queen" outfit.

"We recently went to Thailand and saw their little elemental shrines everywhere and want to recreate it on my front porch. I gotta have it," she said, twirling for a roving photographer.

Executive director of the Sisters Folk Festival, Brad Tisdel, began the live auction by thanking everyone for coming and welcomed all of the Americana Project supporters, especially Kathy Deggendorfer and the invaluable service provided by her Roundhouse Foundation. Deggendorfer then joined auctioneer Dennis Turmon as he took the microphone and announced the first items up on the block, setting off nearly two hours of spirited bidding.

BendTel's Clell Gibson and his wife, Dove, focused in on several items.

"I want to bid on the big fish. I've got just the spot for it," he said. "And maybe Jeff (Wester's) forged wine rack or the Baldwin hat."

Roger White and Steve Mathews collaborated on the magnificent six-foot long neon-and-wood "Rainbow Trout," in perfect synchronicity with the event's "Traveling Light" theme.

"I think it's one of the most stellar pieces ever donated," said Deggendorfer.

The fish was carved from 200-year-old tamarack and was a winner of the "Award of Merit" prize.

No Sisters Americana art auction is ever complete without a handcrafted Gene Baldwin beaver-felt hat, this one titled "The Hunter," designed with early American sportsmen in mind.

"It's done in an old color called camel that you don't see much anymore," Baldwin said.

Chris Converse and Dan Weiden entered into a fierce bidding war for Jayson Bowerman's "OM Mandolin," cheered on by the exuberance of the full house. The handmade mandolin was crafted of Sitka spruce and East Indian rosewood with a mahogany neck trimmed in ebony, abalone and mother-of-pearl.

When the smoke of battle finally cleared, a smiling Weiden was the victor, with a winning bid of $6,000.

"It makes me really proud to contribute to this event and have so many people respond to my work," said Bowerman.

As the evening came to a close, The Shanghai Woolies returned for a farewell set, as guests filled the dance floor or gathered souvenir wine glasses and tired, stray members of their parties reflected on yet another memorable art weekend in Sisters, one that raised tens of thousands of dollars to continue arts and music education in Sisters schools.

Lois Ball, of Eagle Crest, perhaps said it best:

"I was a school teacher for many years, so my heart goes out to them. Wonderful people, wonderful cause. Americana, it's one of the most fabulous things in town."