Parade and stroll fill Sisters with art

The ninth annual "My Own Two Hands" community arts weekend kicked off Friday afternoon in high style as a festive throng paraded down Hood Avenue behind the official Americana Project banner.

A cacophony of cowbells, drums and sirens announced the youthful mob, carrying with it an exuberant wave of buckaroos on decorated trikes, circus clowns, kids with scooters and a flock of elementary school students flapping construction-paper wings in a rainbow of feathers.

Perfect weather enticed people out of their homes to participate in the art walk evening at various venues centered around downtown featuring donated art pieces, wine sampling, food and live entertainment.

Inside The Jewel, Jack Russell terriers Zoe and Peaches greeted guests and begged for a pet or treat, whichever came first. A hand-built six-string dreadnought guitar by Bill MacDonald was on prominent display, attracting music fans. Crescent Lake resident Tim Stroud just came in to hook up the store's wireless modem and got recruited to pour wine.

"It's been extremely busy and people are having a great time. The weather certainly helps," he said, filling more plastic cups. "I'm getting behind here."

Over at Tami Jones' Metamorphosis Salon, artist Mike Yruegas demonstrated fine-art airbrushing by outlining a new piece depicting cupped hands holding a butterfly. His huge dolphin piece, "The Family," sat on a tall black easel nearby, recipient of the 2010 Spirit of Giving Award.

Joe Leonardi strummed and sang to a packed room of guests who sampled Syrah and Merlot from Cork Cellars. Jones' nine-year-old daughter, McKenna, summed up the experience for her:

"It's so fun to go around and look at all the magnificent art with your friends."

Teri Applegarth, proprietor of DonTerra Artworks, manned the wine bar with vigor, offering her current selection.

"I have a Reisling-Chardonnay combo from Argentina that is really good. And these are bio-degradable corn syrup cups, too. I'm serious."

A dragonfly lamp, created by Crow Black, and a Dick Tipton doll cradle reminiscent of the Arts and Crafts period were among the items available for view.

Sheryl and John McKeirnan of Redmond came out specifically for the art walk.

"We've done it for the past four years," Sheryl said. "It's a great community event and we see people filling the streets. It encompasses all ages."

In Paulina Springs Books, an inspiring glass slide guitar emblazoned with a red-tailed hawk by Jayson Bowerman and Susie Zeitner had art lovers in awe (see related story, page 17).

Book seller Sue Tank said that the bookstore was the happening place in town.

"Silver Ridge performed a folk acoustic set, and it was hoppin'," she said.

Bronco Billy's was the afterhours scene, with a stellar lineup of Americana Project students playing on the main stage and bowls of steaming chili and cornbread feeding the multitudes under the events tent. Katy Yoder, events director of My Own Two Hands, laughed at the claim that she's in alliance with the weather gods.

"It's another example of how blessed we are in Sisters, from the weather all the way down to the generosity of people," said Yoder. "Somehow through the adversity and economy, we still dig deep for our kids. If it's snowing or raining or sunny, they still come. It's amazing."

After a haunting ballad by Sisters High School senior, John Morton, Sisters Folk Festival executive director, Brad Tisdel, mounted the stage and gave his sentiments of the worthy cause and evening's abundant turnout:

"One of the cool things about the growing Americana Project is all our adult artists mentoring and developing relationships with the kids and having a lasting impact. That's what makes this all so special."