Sisters artist releases 'Opening the Klamath'

In collaboration with acclaimed Central Oregon artist Kathy Deggendorfer, Makin' It Local will release "Opening the Klamath," an open edition fine art giclee print by Deggendorfer. The release party on Saturday, November 2, begins at 10 a.m., and includes an artist in attendance, Artist Reception, from 2:30 to 5 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. The fine art prints will be available for viewing and purchase, including custom framed prints in various archival designs. Refreshments, including wine, beer, hors d'oeuvres, and ginger snaps, will be served. Pre-ordered giclee prints will be available during the release party.

Fine art open edition giclee prints can be pre-ordered at http://www.makinitlocal.com and will be available for delivery on or after the release party. Shipping can be arranged by contacting Makin' it Local at 541-904-4722.

Photo provided

"Opening the Klamath" by Kathy Deggendorfer.

The painting, "Opening the Klamath," was inspired by the largest dam removal project in the world, which will be completed in 2024 on the Klamath River. Four of the six dams will come down and open the Klamath from the headwaters below Crater Lake to the Pacific just south of Crescent City. Removing the barriers and restoring the health of the Klamath River watershed is a huge victory for the Klamath, Yurok, Modoc, and other Tribal nations, who have been fighting to remove those dams for over a hundred years.

Deggendorfer was introduced to an organization called Rios to Rivers a few years ago. They are supporting and documenting the journey of Tribal youth in a program called "Paddle Tribal Waters." The program teaches Indigenous youth kayaking skills to prepare them to navigate the reopened river. They will be the first to paddle the length of the free flowing Klamath River and are being trained to be important river stewards.

Deggendorfer states, "Intrigued by the documentary 'Rivers To Rios' created in support for the Paddle Tribal Waters project I knew I had to do a painting. In the image the water flows from the rolling pine covered foothills below Mt. Mazama (when it erupted Crater Lake was formed). The river flows freely now. The water is blue and clear and the toxic algae growth caused by the dams slowing the water has been eradicated. The shores of the river, which the dammed water had flooded for so many years, have been carefully restored. The colorful hardshell kayaks are like those that the Paddle Tribal Waters youth are using to return to the ocean. The faint underlying grid of pencil marks represents the removal of the outdated hydroelectric production that was the original purpose of the dams."

For more information about Rios To Rivers and the opening of the Klamath, visit http://riostorivers.org/paddle-tribal-waters.