Eight local artists hit the road for art experiences

The Roundhouse Foundation has a strong interest in ensuring that Sisters' creative community remains dynamic.

In an effort to further its support for the visual arts and artists in Sisters and Central Oregon, The Roundhouse Foundation invited a group of eight artists who responded from a pool of 30 to experience workshops, artist in residency, and shared-space programing at various schools of art throughout the country.

Each artist attended a different workshop at either Anderson Ranch Arts Center, Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts, Arrowmount School of Arts, Penland School of Crafts, or Sitka Center for Art and Ecology.

After participating in the workshops and residencies the traveling artists returned to Central Oregon with their artwork, which is now displayed as an exhibit at the Sisters Art Works Building, "Sisters on the Road: Eight Artists and their Discoveries," through March 16.

The community is also invited to the artists' reception February 24 from 4 to 7 p.m. during the 4th Friday Art Stroll.

"This exhibit is part of their studies and review process," said Kathy Deggendorfer, artist and Roundhouse Foundation founder. "The artists were asked to take a class, interview the staff and look critically at the school they attended as a model for similar programs here in Sisters."

The eight artists who traveled to the various programs for the research project enjoyed and learned from the experiences.

Bend resident and ceramics artist Nancy Dasen had the option to attend an eight-week workshop at Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina.

Penland originally opened as a weaving school back in 1929, founded by Lucy Morgan. She thought it would be good for women in the area to supplement their income and become more self-supporting.

When Morgan retired in 1962 she was succeeded by Bill Brown, who updated and expanded the school's offerings, adding longer fall and spring sessions. He created resident artists' programs at the school.

"When this project came up for me I was very excited," Dasen said. "Just thinking about eight weeks doing nothing but making pottery was a wonderful gift for me."

Dasen grew up in Portland and graduated with a double major in art and German. She worked in the graphic art/printing industry, and in the construction industry involved with the selection of products, materials, and colors.

"I began as a graphic designer - before everything went digital - and worked in Bend in a print shop after I got out of college. After my children were grown I took on a few ceramic classes at the Art Station in Bend. Then my husband bought all the equipment needed for my ceramics, and my garage became my studio."

Dasen loves the feel and smell of clay and enjoys incorporating elements of typography and impressions to enhance her pieces. She enjoys making lidded urns and vessels, not for functionality, but more for the mystery of what might be inside.

"Penland is an hour outside of Ashville on 420 acres with 57 buildings, and brings in teachers from all over the country," she said. "In the workshop, they brought in a pair of potters who had known each other before but had very different approaches to what they taught.

"It was new techniques. Things that I hadn't really seen before and a little insight into other ways for hand-building things that I might not have thought of."

Dasen appreciated the exposure to a lot of other students and what their thoughts were.

"There was an intense exposure to a whole bunch of different styles and techniques. It was a great community to be a part of. It was just amazingly, intensely artistic."

Another participating artist, Judy Hoiness, chose to participate in a one-week workshop at Sitka Center for Art and Ecology in Otis, Oregon. The workshop program at Sitka provides people of all levels the transformative and joyful experience of making art and exploring their connections to nature.

A fourth-generation Oregonian, Judy Hoiness holds two degrees in art, a bachelor's degree and a fifth year from Portland State University, and a master's degree in illustration from Syracuse University. She also has a degree in education from Portland State University and taught art at middle schools, a high school, and college. Her teaching career has spanned over 40 years. She recently retired as Adjunct Art Faculty from COCC.

Her first memory of wanting to be an artist was at three years old.

"I always desired to be an artist, I never had any other thoughts," Hoiness told The Nugget.

Her work is often described as abstract landscapes that often incorporates calligraphic marks, collage, and mixed media, including textiles.

"I was asked to evaluate the instructors, the venue and the surroundings besides taking a workshop class in dry point etching. Which is something I've always wanted to try. The workshop was a great experience," Hoiness said.

"I have recently been involved in fiber arts. Drawing and painting on vintage linens and cloths."

Jan McGowan, who is a consultant to The Roundhouse Foundation, was involved in the review process of the project.

"Having the artists travel to the programs, observe while learning, and provide their first-hand perspectives was really valuable. It brought home lessons learned and helped identify local opportunities about creating new spaces and programs as further discussions around the arts in Sisters take place. The artists were very perceptive and have provided a depth to the research that we wouldn't have been able to acquire otherwise," McGowan said.

Sisters Arts Association reported that galleries will be open for the Fourth Friday Art Stroll, on February 24 from 4 to 7 p.m. They include Hood Avenue Art, The Collection Gallery (Gary Cooley), Sisters Gallery & Frame Shop, Ken Scott's Imagination Gallery, Clearwater Gallery, Things Etc., Dyrk Godby Gallery, Grizzly Ridge Upcycle, Bedouin, and Cha for the Finest.

Maps are available in each gallery.

The Roundhouse Foundation has a strong interest in ensuring that Sisters' creative community remains dynamic.

In an effort to further its support for the visual arts and artists in Sisters and Central Oregon, The Roundhouse Foundation invited a group of eight artists who responded from a pool of 30 to experience workshops, artist in residency, and shared-space programing at various schools of art throughout the country.

Each artist attended a different workshop at either Anderson Ranch Arts Center, Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts, Arrowmount School of Arts, Penland School of Crafts, or Sitka Center for Art and Ecology.

After participating in the workshops and residencies the traveling artists returned to Central Oregon with their artwork, which is now displayed as an exhibit at the Sisters Art Works Building, "Sisters on the Road: Eight Artists and their Discoveries," through March 16.

The community is also invited to the artists' reception February 24 from 4 to 7 p.m. during the 4th Friday Art Stroll.

"This exhibit is part of their studies and review process," said Kathy Deggendorfer, artist and Roundhouse Foundation founder. "The artists were asked to take a class, interview the staff and look critically at the school they attended as a model for similar programs here in Sisters."

The eight artists who traveled to the various programs for the research project enjoyed and learned from the experiences.

Bend resident and ceramics artist Nancy Dasen had the option to attend an eight-week workshop at Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina.

Penland originally opened as a weaving school back in 1929, founded by Lucy Morgan. She thought it would be good for women in the area to supplement their income and become more self-supporting.

When Morgan retired in 1962 she was succeeded by Bill Brown, who updated and expanded the school's offerings, adding longer fall and spring sessions. He created resident artists' programs at the school.

"When this project came up for me I was very excited," Dasen said. "Just thinking about eight weeks doing nothing but making pottery was a wonderful gift for me."

Dasen grew up in Portland and graduated with a double major in art and German. She worked in the graphic art/printing industry, and in the construction industry involved with the selection of products, materials, and colors.

"I began as a graphic designer - before everything went digital - and worked in Bend in a print shop after I got out of college. After my children were grown I took on a few ceramic classes at the Art Station in Bend. Then my husband bought all the equipment needed for my ceramics, and my garage became my studio."

Dasen loves the feel and smell of clay and enjoys incorporating elements of typography and impressions to enhance her pieces. She enjoys making lidded urns and vessels, not for functionality, but more for the mystery of what might be inside.

"Penland is an hour outside of Ashville on 420 acres with 57 buildings, and brings in teachers from all over the country," she said. "In the workshop, they brought in a pair of potters who had known each other before but had very different approaches to what they taught.

"It was new techniques. Things that I hadn't really seen before and a little insight into other ways for hand-building things that I might not have thought of."

Dasen appreciated the exposure to a lot of other students and what their thoughts were.

"There was an intense exposure to a whole bunch of different styles and techniques. It was a great community to be a part of. It was just amazingly, intensely artistic."

Another participating artist, Judy Hoiness, chose to participate in a one-week workshop at Sitka Center for Art and Ecology in Otis, Oregon. The workshop program at Sitka provides people of all levels the transformative and joyful experience of making art and exploring their connections to nature.

A fourth-generation Oregonian, Judy Hoiness holds two degrees in art, a bachelor's degree and a fifth year from Portland State University, and a master's degree in illustration from Syracuse University. She also has a degree in education from Portland State University and taught art at middle schools, a high school, and college. Her teaching career has spanned over 40 years. She recently retired as Adjunct Art Faculty from COCC.

Her first memory of wanting to be an artist was at three years old.

"I always desired to be an artist, I never had any other thoughts," Hoiness told The Nugget.

Her work is often described as abstract landscapes that often incorporates calligraphic marks, collage, and mixed media, including textiles.

"I was asked to evaluate the instructors, the venue and the surroundings besides taking a workshop class in dry point etching. Which is something I've always wanted to try. The workshop was a great experience," Hoiness said.

"I have recently been involved in fiber arts. Drawing and painting on vintage linens and cloths."

Jan McGowan, who is a consultant to The Roundhouse Foundation, was involved in the review process of the project.

"Having the artists travel to the programs, observe while learning, and provide their first-hand perspectives was really valuable. It brought home lessons learned and helped identify local opportunities about creating new spaces and programs as further discussions around the arts in Sisters take place. The artists were very perceptive and have provided a depth to the research that we wouldn't have been able to acquire otherwise," McGowan said.

Sisters Arts Association reported that galleries will be open for the Fourth Friday Art Stroll, on February 24 from 4 to 7 p.m. They include Hood Avenue Art, The Collection Gallery (Gary Cooley), Sisters Gallery & Frame Shop, Ken Scott's Imagination Gallery, Clearwater Gallery, Things Etc., Dyrk Godby Gallery, Grizzly Ridge Upcycle, Bedouin, and Cha for the Finest.

Maps are available in each gallery.