Fourth-graders paint the town

The fourth-grade classes at Sisters Elementary School kicked off the holiday season by painting the windows of several businesses in downtown Sisters. This marked the 12th consecutive year that students, under the leadership of Clay Warburton, have given back to the community in this unique way.

Warburton brought the idea with him when he moved from Portland to Sisters in 2001 and has kept the tradition going every year.

At the start of the project each class explores winter themes and holiday traditions from around the world through images. Then, students select and combine an image or idea that they want to make into a window project. Students then partner up and come up with a final draft. From there a team of adults takes the design and enlarges it onto the window. Finally, the students fill in the color and the finishing touches with paint.

"The idea behind the designs is to celebrate the many winter/holiday traditions found throughout the world," said Warburton. "Kids borrow designs from various traditions and also create and combine unique designs to make them their own."

This year, more than 125 students got out their paints and brushes and painted the windows of several local businesses, including Your Store, Martolli's Pizza, Eurosports, Sisters Market, BJ's Ice Cream, Metamorphosis, and Salon Renaissance.

As you stroll or drive along Cascade Avenue you might see a gorilla with a candy cane, a Bigfoot snowboarder or penguins pulling a sleigh, just to name a few.

Warburton said, "I tell the students that this is our chance to give a gift back to our community in the form of art. We hope it will make people smile and feel some of our holiday spirit."

Warburton told The Nugget that Athena Prindle and Annie Ogan have worked with him the past five years and their artistic efforts help pull off the event.

Cuppa Yo and Sisters Olive and Nut Co. have already put in requests to get their windows painted next year. Other businesses that are interested may contact Clay Warburton at [email protected] The painting is always free of charge but businesses may make a donation which goes toward supplies for the art program at the elementary school.

"It's all about the kids giving back to the community," stated Warburton. "We don't'do it to make money."