My Own Two Hands will celebrate arts

The annual celebration of the arts and major fundraiser for Sisters Folk Festival (SFF) kicks off on Friday, May 10 with a parade, art stroll and Community Arts Celebration. On Saturday, May 11 is the Art Auction and Party at Ponderosa Forge.

This year’s theme is “We All Belong,” and more than 85 artists have donated work for the auction.

My Own Two Hands is the primary fundraiser for the music and arts programs of SFF in the Sisters schools and community. Proceeds from MOTH enable SFF to directly support all forms of music and arts programming in the Sisters School District, grades K – 12, along with the innovative and award-winning “Americana Project.”

All artwork presented in the MOTH auction is donated by generous artists who understand the value of arts in the lives of every child, and are willing to back that up by donating their own time and works of art.

On Friday, May 10 the MOTH parade will kick off the celebration. Students parade their “We All Belong” themed artwork on Hood Avenue, starting at 4 p.m. at Spruce Street and ending at Oak Street.

The community art stroll will run from 4 to 7 p.m. and each of the 12 art stroll locations will feature live music, donated by Central Oregon musicians.

The Community Arts Celebration at The Belfry concludes the Friday evening activities with a free concert with Las Cafeteras, a Chicano band from East Los Angeles.

Their music fuses spoken word and folk music, with traditional Son Jarocho, Afro-Mexican music and zapateado dancing.

Opening the event at 7 p.m. is a special presentation of the newly formed Sisters Kids Choir, followed by local percussionist Dale Largent who will bring everyone together in a “We All Belong” drum jam.

Saturday, May 11 brings the Art Auction and Party, hosted by SFF at Ponderosa Forge. This event is considered by many as the “Party of the Year.”

This year’s entertainment will be provided by The Eugene-based band The Sugar Beets. The transformation of Ponderosa Forge from a working metal shop on Friday to an event center is a feat in and of itself, and the venue provides a perfect backdrop for the artwork to shine.

For more information or tickets to the art auction, visit http://www.sistersfolkfestival.org or call 541-549-4979.