Art show supports Sisters schools

From watercolor paintings to stained glass, jewelry, photography, handcrafted wood art, leatherwork, and oils, there was a little something for everybody at Black Butte Ranch's Art at the Ranch art exhibit held over the Labor Day weekend.

The fundraiser, now in it's 27th year, is sponsored by the Black Butte Ranch Art Guild, and raises upwards of $7,000 each year for the Sisters High School visual arts program and Sisters High School art students. Each year, three to four students are awarded scholarships.

"This fundraiser is just part of what the art guild does to support the school district's visual-arts program," said Jessie-Lea Abbott, co-chair of the Art Guild. "Some of the money goes to program support and some of it goes for student scholarships for kids who are continuing the study of art in college."

The two-day event started on Friday with a silent auction, and continued on Saturday with artists from all over the area displaying their art in the pavilion tent on the tennis courts just outside the Lodge. Every year, 100 percent of the proceeds from the silent auction go toward helping fund the visual-arts program and sponsoring student scholarships. In addition, 20 percent of vendor sales are also donated.

Bub Warren of Redmond, who specializes in leatherwork - particularly saddles - was at his first fundraiser this year.

"I've made 1,300 saddles in 38 years and I'm about ready to retire," said Warren. "One of my customers asked me to come so I thought I'd come out and see if we could help raise some money for the kids."

Mitch Deaderick and wife Michelle are pottery artists from Sisters and have been plying their craft in the area for nearly 40 years; they have been participants in the fundraiser since it's inception.

"As well as doing the fundraiser, we do a lot of work for the Ranch doing custom mugs. But it's always good to come out and support the kids," said Mitch. "Especially in the arts, so they can go pursue their hopes and dreams."

The scholarships the students are awarded are based on an application process that includes an interview and a review of the submitted portfolios by the guild.

"In addition to the auction and sales, we add to that and have a drawing for the opportunity quilt, and all proceeds from that go to the program and students as well," said Abbott.