Art at the Ranch features art, events

One of the oldest and most enjoyable of traditions at Black Butte Ranch will be returning the first weekend in September.

Art at the Ranch has been a highlight for the past three decades and has included paintings, sculptures, metal and pottery items, jewelry, wood crafts, books, fiber arts, candles, toys and other exhibits.

New this year is a gallery show at the Lodge Gallery running September 2-3, featuring painters, photographers and mixed media. The festivities will begin at the Lodge on Friday, September, 2 with a wine and appetizer reception between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m., with live music by Chris Patrick and Selah Broderick.

During this time guests can meet the artists and bid on their works in a silent auction. During the reception the founding Art Guild members will be honored. On Saturday, September 3, Art at the Ranch will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with live music 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. by singer/songwriter duo Rindy and Marv Ross.

Another new feature of the Art Fair is the Plein Air Paint Out at the Ranch on Saturday, September 3 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will be held by the lake. A People's Choice Award will be given and the paintings will be for sale from 1 to 5 p.m. A children's painting workshop from 2 to 4 p.m. will be taught by Rachel Lovegren. Children will have an opportunity to hang their art for public display.

The most notable of the accomplishments of the festival is the awarding of scholarships to students from Sisters High School who have plans for furthering their education in the visual arts. The scholarship program since its conception has awarded close to $50,000 in scholarships. One of the recipients of a scholarship award in 2010, Rachel Lovegren, is now on the full-time staff at the new Lakeside Activity Center at Black Butte Ranch.

Many of the artists live at the Ranch and have participated in Art at the Ranch over the years. They have largely been responsible for making it a success. These have included Ruth Ingham, Charlotte Milam, Liz Dash, Margaret Burnham and Suzie Burns. They were instrumental in starting the event, which was originally named Art in the Barn. The officers of Black Butte Ranch Art Guild are co-chairs Caryl Gibson and Paula Perkins, treasurer Isolde Hedemark, secretary Barbara Phillips, scholarships Lynda Sullivan, art aquisition Linda Goebel.