Art show complements "Dark Horse' film

"The Dark Horse" is a documentary film based on the story of Dream Alliance - a horse that won the prestigious Welsh Grand National.

It is now playing at Sisters Movie House - with a lobby full of equestrian art to complement the film.

A group of rag-tag coal miners and other down-on-their-luck members of a working-men's club from the village on Cefn Fforest in Wales formed a syndicate and contributed 10 pounds a week toward the breeding and upkeep of Dream Alliance.

Horse-racing is the sport of kings in the UK and is an exclusive, expensive hobby. These storytellers and self-described "riff-raff" with Welsh pride and the solidarity of a community pulled together to "do something when no one gives you a chance."

In keeping with all things horses, Sisters Movie House is honored to display the art-work of several local artists. The majesty of the horse is celebrated in photography and paint. Featured artists include Curtiss Abbott; Jim Horsley; Larry McFerrin; and Carol Statton.

Kimry Jelen painted the epic Watering Hole, which came to her in a dream.

"I woke up wanting to paint something full of energy and it needed to be really big, with the three layers arranged so the very colorful part was in the middle," she said.

"The dream was mostly about the composition of the powerful horses being part of the earth they ran on and the feel of rushing water, the fear as you stand on the brink, but when you dive in, it's so rewarding.

It is very meaningful to me, personally.

That's the feeling I get when I'm painting on a new canvas, the nerves and then exhilaration.

Each panel is exactly my width and my height.

There are five horses - five is my favorite number.

It has mountains in it and a river representing the fresh-cold-clear-delicious water we enjoy here in Sisters, Oregon.

Many layers of paint create the texture and multitude of colors.

It was painted with a very large brush."

In addition, several local horse- and equine-rescue groups will have material and literature about their work in the region and how folks can help assist these animals that may find themselves in distress.