Art department gets funding

When imagining a painter working on a project, the vision most people have would include a plethora of paint blobs at the ready on a palette and an easel holding up the blank canvas.

Until recently, such a scene in the Sisters High School art department wasn't possible. Instead, most students made do with their paper or canvas laying flat on a table. With only a few easels in the department, all in need of retirement, students were having a hard time letting their creative juices flow.

Under the persistent nudging of volunteer art teacher Steve Mathews, badly needed art equipment has arrived. Mathews brought together new Sisters High School art teacher Bethany Gunnarson, Sisters Folk Festival Inc., The Roundhouse Foundation and a private donation from longtime Americana Project supporter Lois Ball to raise the money needed to purchase 20 new easels and 30 painting palettes for the art department.

The new palettes will help students conserve their paint, and save and mix colors for future uses.

A portion of the money will also go to hiring artists to come into the classroom and teach in their area of expertise.

Local artist Abby Merickel was the first of many artists to be hired. She taught a papermaking class for a bookmaking project so students could make their own paper.

"It's close to impossible for an art teacher to know all about all the different art mediums," said Mathews. "We'll have local artists come in and teach the kids in areas like ceramics and jewelry making. The visiting artist's part is really important. Bringing in people with different expertise is key. We also want to make sure that artists in our community know that we honor and appreciate their support and knowledge."

The new equipment is exciting for the students and teachers.

"The easels will make it easier and more accessible for students to work on their painting skills," said Gunnarson. "Before, they had to paint on tables or older easels that didn't support larger paintings. With the new equipment they have more of a professional artist's experience."

The easels will be used during the Wednesday, November 3, Benefit for the Arts Coffee House, running from 7 to 9 p.m. The evening will offer refreshments while guests enjoy music, art, drama and woods demonstrations. There will also be a silent auction.

"We didn't have easels big enough to hold the larger pieces in the show. It'll take two of the new easels to hold up one painting," she said.

Kathy Deggendorfer of The Roundhouse Foundation was pleased to help with the collaboration.

"I am so pleased that Steve Mathews and Bethany Gunnarson made the connection with what the needs were at the school," she said. "It's so great for the Americana Project to get a request for help and see it materialize so quickly. I remember Bethany being involved with the first My Own Two Hands, which was called Painted Strings that first year. Back then it was more incorporated with the art department. I hope we can help them fill in any gaps in the future, too."

Lois Ball, of Redmond, has been volunteering her time and background in education for years with Sisters Folk Festival.

"I'm so happy that Sisters Folk Festival and the Americana Project are expanding more into supporting the visual arts programs in the high school," she said. "I'm glad to help. I just love it!"

Steve Mathews is now a board member with Sisters Folk Festival.

"My wife and I have been going to the Sisters Folk Festival for years and we're Folk Arts Circle members. I love the music but I'm also an advocate for the visual arts," he said. "A lot of the arts kids are also singing and playing musical instruments. I wanted to bring a balance and show visual artists in our community how Sisters Folk Festival is bringing help to the art programs. It's really a good thing for everyone. As a board member I want to expand our role even more in the visual arts. I'm not sure what that will look like now, but we're working on ideas with new programs, participation and collaborations."