Folkies gather at Ponderosa Forge

Thursday night, Ponderosa Forge & Iron Works was transformed into the place to celebrate the Arts in Sisters.

Jeff Wester offered the forge to Sisters Folk Festival to host their annual Sisters Folk Arts Circle event for members and those interested in joining the group.

The evening included music by Mitch Barrett and Americana Project students. Partygoers dined by candlelight and sipped wine from hand-painted glasses while listening to Americana Project instructors Kit Stafford and Rick Johnson describe the classes they teach and how the program touches lives in Sisters.

Stafford described classes she teaches in the middle school from pie baking to quilting, flytying and other forms of folk art. Her students discover their artistic strengths in a variety of ways; whether its playing the guitar and writing songs or writing poetry and making folk art out of recycled materials. "The hands-on quality sets it apart from their other classes in school," said Stafford. "I can't tell you how many people came up to me and said they wished they'd had a class like that when they were kids."

The main focus of the evening was thanking Sisters Folk Arts Circle members for their support of the Sisters Folk Festival. Members pay for their tickets to all of the SFF events in advance; the money generated from their membership allows SFF to cover costs of producing events and funding art programs in the Sisters schools.

"We can't thank these folks enough," said Development Director Katy Yoder. "One of the best parts of my job is making sure we adequately thank the circle members for their support. What better way than by throwing them a party?"

In September at the Sisters Folk Festival, Mitch Barrett amazed the audience with his skills as a songwriter and storyteller. When Barrett's touring schedule brought him back to Central Oregon, festival Executive Director Brad Tisdel jumped at the chance to have Barrett come play for the party. Accompanied by vocalist Halelupe and bass player Owen Reynolds, Barrett entertained the crowd with his thought-provoking lyrics and delightful storytelling.

The annual Folk Arts Circle membership costs $1,000 for over $1,100 worth of tickets, SFF products and the private concert. Members enjoy a variety of payment plans from monthly, quarterly or annual dues.

"This is a great group of people," said Yoder. "They all have a love of music and the arts in common. We appreciate their support so much and can't wait to see them at the Winter Concert Series and My Own Two Hands."

For more information about the Sisters Folk Arts Circle call 541-549-4979 or 541-420-6408, or e-mail [email protected]