My Own Two Hands invites community participation

The 10th Annual My Own Two Hands fundraiser is revving up to present an exciting, two-day celebration of music and art in the Sisters community. Produced by Sisters Folk Festival Inc., the fundraiser for the Americana Project will host a big community celebration next month.

The two-day event begins on April 15 with the Community Parade, Art Stroll and Bronco Billy's Chili Feed fundraiser and Performing Arts Evening. Saturday, April 16 is the Art Auction and Party at Ponderosa Forge & Iron Works. Tickets are limited for the auction and organizers encourage interested art buyers to call early to get their tickets.

This year, Sisters Folk Festival planners are expanding the community parade. They've partnered with the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce to utilize the expertise of event planner Jeri Buckmann.

"We encourage anyone who wants to join us in the parade to go into the chamber and pick up an entry form," said Development Director Katy Yoder. Under Buckman's guidance, organizers hope to see a bigger, more organized parade that includes anyone who wants to participate. "We'd like to have more folks watching the parade too," said Yoder. "It's such a wonderful feeling to watch Sisters' children show off the art pieces they created in their classrooms."

Many Sisters businesses, from FivePine to Clearwater Gallery, are stroll location sponsors, hosting art donations during the April 15 Art Stroll. Individuals and businesses not located in the downtown area are participating as artist sponsors. This year more businesses have gotten involved in the event, providing assistance and resources to improve and expand the event. 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."

Images and descriptions of the art donations are on Sisters Folk Festival's website. Members of the Sisters Area Photography Club spent an entire weekend photographing and archiving all the art.

"It was a big job and the photographers did a great job, capturing the beauty and unique design of the pieces," said Yoder.

So far, there are about 145 art donations, including the Common Canvas fish that were created to reflect this year's theme, "In the Current." The final photographic images are available to the artists to use in their portfolios or for any other marketing endeavors.

Tickets for the Saturday, April 16 Art Auction and Party are now available. To view the art donated for this year's auction visit http://www.sistersfolkfestival.org/art.

Contact Katy Yoder at 541-549-4979, or e-mail

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