Sisters will celebrate arts with My Own Two Hands

The annual My Own Two Hands (MOTH) 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. (SFF), the fundraiser for the Americana Project and SFF programming will host a myriad of community events. This year's theme is "Deep Roots."

MOTH begins on Friday, April 12, with the Community Parade, an Art Stroll, and the Performing Arts Evening at FivePine Lodge & Conference Center. Tickets for the Americana students Performing Arts Evening on Friday night are $10 ($5 for students) and are sold at the door. The evening includes a pasta bar dinner provided by Three Creeks Brewing Co.

The art auction and party at Ponderosa Forge & Ironworks is set for Saturday, April 13. The contributor list this year is full of talented local and regional artists. Sculptor Danae Bennett-Miller, Lillian Pitt, Skip Armstrong and Mary Jo Weiss are just a few of the artists returning this year.

"We welcome Rick Bartow as a new contributor," said Development Director Katy Yoder. "He will be an instructor at the Americana Song and Arts Academy prior to the Sisters Folk Festival. He is a highly respected artist; having one of his pieces in the auction is a wonderful addition."

The art donations are available via proxy bidding. Call Yoder for information about bidding and to get on the waiting list for tickets.

Many Sisters businesses are stroll locations, hosting art donations during the April 12 art stroll. A unique location this year will be the BendBroadband stroll location at the Sisters Art Works building, 204 W. Adams Ave., home of the Sisters Folk Festival offices.

"The Sisters High School art program will have art on display, too," said Yoder. "Some of the pieces are in the auction and some are pieces the students will keep for their portfolios."

Many individuals and businesses are participating as artist sponsors.

"The community involvement around this event is wonderful," said Yoder. "There are so many ways people help keep the arts alive and well in Sisters, from donating art, participating in the Common Canvas Project, volunteering, sponsorships and cash donations."

Images and descriptions of the art donations are on SFF's website and their Facebook page. Sisters-area photographer Curtiss Abbott spent many hours photographing and archiving all the art.

"It was a huge effort, and Curtiss did a great job," said Yoder.

To view the art donations for the auction visit www.sistersfolkfestival.

org/art. For more information contact Jeannine Munkres at 541-549-4979, or email [email protected]