City receives grant to acquire quilt installation

The City of Sisters was awarded a $10,000 grant from the Ford Family Foundation's Art Acquisition Funding to acquire the collaborative quilt work "Two Rivers, Three Sisters."

Two Rivers, Three Sisters, a 40-foot-long quilt made up of 17 quilt panels made by Central Oregon quilt artists, celebrates the city of Sisters' natural surroundings and unique quilting culture. It is a groundbreaking collaboration between arts and environmental organizations, telling a story unique to Sisters.

Two Rivers, Three Sisters celebrates Whychus Creek and the many organizations working together for its restoration. The U.S. Forest Service and National Forest Foundation (NFF) are partnering to revitalize the creek in a Treasured Landscapes conservation campaign known locally as the "Tale of Two Rivers." The Deschutes Land Trust protects and restores private lands to further benefit the creek. The Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show commissioned the piece to tell the story of Whychus Creek through the lens of fiber art. The project is a unique showcase of rich artistic talent, stunning landscapes, and partnerships that truly make a difference.

The Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show has raised an additional $12,100 to complete the acquisition and installation costs. Of the $20,000 purchase price, half will be divided among the quilters and the other half will be donated to the NFF, which they will match. The project, which included four other pieces, will ultimately generate $24,500 for the NFF which will be invested in projects on the Whychus Creek drainage in the Sisters area.

Quilting is a recognized cultural symbol of Sisters, and this piece will build and enhances the city's quilt collection.

The piece was reviewed and endorsed by the Sisters Public Art (SPA) Committee, a nonprofit organization working with the city to identify and acquire works of art. The piece has a traveling schedule through October 2013 including exhibit in Bend, Sisters, Portland and Yokohama, Japan before returning for permanent installation in the council chambers at Sisters City Hall in November 2013.

For more information about Two Rivers, Three Sisters, contact Ann Richardson, [email protected] or 541-549-0989.