SAA's Artwalk opens for Big Ponderoo

Sisters Arts Association partners with SFF Presents to kick off the best part of summer with the Fourth Friday Artwalk and Ponderoo Arts Experience on June 28.

Years ago, SFF Presents coined the phrase: “All the town’s a stage,” and this weekend will be one for the record books. Galleries will generally be open from 10 to 6:30 or 7 p.m., and the family-friendly Artwalk and Ponderoo event begins with live music and art at 13 venues around town from 4:30 to 6 or 7 p.m.

Art walkers are invited to pick up a “Ponderoo Passport” and map from any of the participating locations, and have it stamped at each of the businesses they visit. Completed passports can be redeemed for a “Little Ponderoo,” a miniature wood rainbow trout created by Jason Chinchen and the Sisters High School Woods II students, and decorated by local artists and art lovers. Redeem passports at the Village Green check-in tent.

Also, be sure to sign up for the Sisters Arts Association’s “Quick Draw,” whereby two $50 gift certificates will be awarded, for use in galleries participating in Artwalk. This is made possible thanks to a generous donation from Cascade Hasson Sotheby’s International Realty in Sisters.

Here’s a rundown on who, what, and where to go, what to see, and who to hear!

Sisters Gallery & Frame hosts multi-talented artists, singer-songwriter-poets Beth Wood and Dennis McGregor, and artist Jennifer Hartwig-Klingbiel, aka “The Scratchboard Lady.” Some of McGregor’s original artwork from his forthcoming book “You Stole My Name Tool!” will be shown in person for the first time. Hartwig’s “Sunflower Chipmunk” will join half a dozen never-before shown works of delicate scratchboard. She has taken a year to focus on perfecting the combination of scratchboard with added color, and to revise simple black-and-white shadows for depth on fur and features. She will have 19 new cards and mugs.

Sisters Makers joins the Artwalk this month. Located in the former Chamber of Commerce building, 291 E. Main Ave. Christie Lower, an artist in residence at Pine Meadow Ranch Center for Arts and Agriculture, is featured. Coinciding with the theme, “Traditions and Migrations,” and inspired by the forced migration of birds due to forest fires, Lower is creating a full-scale barn owl sculpture from needle felting. The size and details of her work are a rarity in the world of needle felting. Melanie Rose Dyer Trio will perform their original music.

At Toriizaka Art, Henriette Heiny’s abstract poured art is featured in the June issue of Cascade A&E, where writer James Morris calls it “a vibrant testament to the enduring allure of abstract expressionism.” Also, being shown are Dominique Rovers, a wildlife artist from the Netherlands who explores the soul of each animal she paints, and Karen Ehart’s sculpted fused glass, a unique, multi-dimensional piece created with heart and soul. Music will be by singer-songwriter-guitarist Alicia Viani, performing with Lilli Worona, a vocalist who also plays guitar and fiddle.

Hood Avenue Art spotlights Alisa Looney, Susie Zeitner, and Scott Cordner. Looney’s original fused enamel images depict such natural events as seedlings sprouting through lava rock, water bubbling over snags, and fungi fruiting near tree roots. Zeitner has been working in fused glass for more than 25 years, making hanging light fixtures, mosaic glass yard sculptures and glass enamel paintings. Her latest commission is a 13-piece lighting installation on the Oregon Coast. Cordner’s fine art landscape photographs are printed on canvas and presented in handmade frames using renewable hardwoods. Bob Baker and Mark Barringer will keep the tunes rolling.

Stitchin’ Post’s own Valori and Jean Wells combine talents in a show called “Two Voices Speaking Creatively.” Val’s block printing and Jean’s freeform quilting take textile art to the next level, with bold colors, new designs, and shapes. Always experimenting and working intuitively, they let their pieces take on a life of their own. Two Smoke Drifters will provide music.

Space In Common’s artist, Taylor Manoles, shows “Among The Mist,” paintings that explore themes of hope, longing, and the unknown life. They invite the viewer into their current moment, and, though the future may be unknown, there is joy in the waiting and beauty to be embraced. John Shipe Duo will accompany.

The Rickards Gallery presents “Light as a Virtue,” new work by David Mensing. “Capturing the character of light is one of the most daunting challenges a painter will face, because there is no source of light on the canvas. A painter can only create a sense of light by skillfully reflecting the light that is available in the room,” Mensing explains. “As a result, creating a painting that accurately captures the light is profoundly gratifying.” See how he’s done this while listening to music by The Overhollers.

Wildflower Gallery has new work by oil painter John Runnels and stained glass artist Mitch Saba. The Bunkhouse Two, musical duo of Gabrielle and Jordan, will be playing on the front porch.

Makin’ It Local hosts Cheryl Chapman of Silly Dog Art Glass. She employs traditional glass painting techniques to create shadowing and texture, then combines it with opaque high-fire glass enamels for detail and color. Each piece is kiln-fired as many as five times. Her artwork is featured on the 2024 Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show poster. The Kelcey Lassen Duo will keep the music rolling.

The Campbell Gallery’s artist Caprial Hope draws inspiration from Central Oregon’s rugged landscape and varied wildlife. From palette knife to fine detailed brushwork, her work spans the range from might to serenity and includes original paintings, prints, and stickers. Mike Biggers and Jim Cornelius will entertain.

At Canyon Creek Pottery, potter Ken Merrill has completed 10 new Raku murals, in addition to a variety of other new work. Sisters High School’s Americana Project student performers will be featured.

There will also be live music at other stroll locations, Preston Thompson Guitars and Nechville Banjos West.

At the Village Green (the Big Ponderoo venue), there will be activities including a community weaving project, fish painting, a creativity table, and puppet theater, with food and drinks from local vendors. A sneak peek concert from festival bands The East Pointers and the Sam Chase and the Untraditional will take place on the Ponderoo stage from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Bring your Silipint or SFF stainless steel cup from a prior event if you plan to enjoy a beverage at the venue. Weekend ticket holders can pick up their festival wristband and a new Silipint at the box office tent, starting at 5 p.m. Vintage Silipints will be sold for $5 to those who need them.