Sisters High School art night gets a remodel

The Art Department at Sisters High School is excited to be presenting their annual art night on January 31 - with a brand-new vibe and a revamped name.

Art night is a chance for Sisters High School arts students to show off what they have created in the last year, and to get the community of all ages involved and excited about the arts.

"We are gearing up for more community interaction this year," said Bethany Gunnarson, Sisters High School visual arts teacher. "We have a lot of similar things as usual but more interactive stations and a little less music. We really want to get people involved, it's not just about the high school, it's an interactive art experience for all ages."

In the past the event was called "The Coffee House" but it became confusing for some people, so that's one reason Gunnarson and her students changed it to "ARTifacts"

"The event was becoming more like a concert. There just wasn't as much interacting with the visual arts as we'd wanted," said Gunnarson.

It was time to change things up.

There will be loads of art stations to interact with; the public can learn at any of the hands-on art stations such as throwing on the potter's wheel, collaborative painting mural, collaborative drawing mural, sculpting station, shrink film accessories, paint dart throwing mural, students silk-screening T-shirts for sale, and henna and face-painting.

"Anybody can join in, and it's all student-led," said Gunnarson.

Gunnarson has nearly 200 art students volunteering their time.

"I am requiring it as their final exam," she said.

Folks will be entertained by the Americana Project students, the jazz choir and jazz band. They will be performing during the event on stage.

The admission will benefit the arts department and visual art scholarship that is given at the end of the year.

"We brainstormed on how to get the community more involved with engagement with the visual arts," Gunnarson said.

"Each person will receive a 'passport' upon entering and after visiting all of our hands-on stations and getting a stamp on your passport, turn it in to the ticket booth for a handmade mystery gift to take home!"

There will be a silent auction, senior art displays, and students working on artwork.

ARTifacts will be held at the Sisters High School Commons on Tuesday, January 31, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Admission is $5; $20 for the family.