SISTERS ARTS | CULTURE | EVENTS
A MAGAZINE DEDICATED TO SPECIAL EVENTS IN THE TOWN OF SISTERS
SPRING 2015
“Imagine” Community Parade, Art Stroll, Art Auction and Entertainment
INSIDE:
Friday-Saturday, May 8-9 My Own Two Hands Artist Profiles
Art Stroll Locations & Musicians
Endorsed by
Community Parade Art Auction & Party & More! Advertising Supplement to The Bulletin | Published Friday, April 24, 2015
ART STROLL, PARADE & COMMUNITY ARTS CELEBRATION: Friday, May 8 | ART AUCTION & PARTY: Saturday, May 9
My Own Two Hands
EVENTS
An art auction, parade, art stroll, artists, musicians and a close-knit community come together for the benefit of arts education in Sisters schools.
“Imagine” Community Parade Friday, May 8 | 4 p.m.
Join the students from Sisters Schools as they parade their imaginative art through Sisters. The parade features students, musicians and artists sharing their interpretation of the My Own Two Hands theme, “Imagine.” The parade will begin at Fir Street Park on Main Ave. and will end at Main Ave. and Oak St. Special thanks to Kit Stafford and teachers in the Sisters Schools for helping to create this procession, showcasing our community’s passion for the arts.
Art Stroll Friday, May 8 | 3:30-6:30 p.m. The artwork donated for the auction and fundraiser will be on display in stroll-sponsoring businesses. Enjoy musical performances and refreshments, and please thank the sponsoring art stroll businesses who make this unique event possible.
Community Arts Celebration Friday, May 8 | 6:30 p.m. After the art stroll, stop by The Belfry for dinner and an evening of music. Local musicians will share the stage with students, performing throughout the evening. Dinner is provided by Tacos el Comal. Tickets can be purchased at the door for dinner and music for $10.
Art Auction & Party Saturday, May 9 | 6 p.m. The My Own Two Hands Art Auction and Party is a fundraiser for programs of Sisters Folk Festival, Inc. Ponderosa Forge and Ironworks hosts this annual event, which includes live and silent auction items from regional artists. Music provided by bluegrass, Grammy-nominated Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen. Advance ticket purchase required. Call 541-549-4979 for ticket information.
Event Information
www.sistersfolkfestival.org 541-549-4979
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IMAGINE. DREAM. at My Own Two Hands by Damian Fagan, for The Bulletin Special Projects If you build it, they will strum. The first Sisters Folk Festival, which debuted in 1995 as a one-day event, has grown in scope and size over the years. Outreach programs such as the Americana Project, Americana Song Academy, arts education in Sisters’ schools, a Winter Concert Series and a multiday festival are now all under the umbrella of Sisters Folk Festival, Inc. (SFF). “It’s more about building a legacy or generational commitment to art, arts education and self expression, and really engaging people in cultural pursuits that contribute to a healthy community,” said SFF Creative Director Brad Tisdel. Financial support for SFF comes from ticket sales, sponsorships, grants, fundraisers and a special event called My Own Two Hands (MOTH), a community arts celebration that features an art stroll, parade, auction and much more during two days in May. “Originally, MOTH supported just the Americana Project, but since the Folk Festival has expanded outreach into the schools, this fundraiser supports the broader scope of SFF programming,” explained SFF Development Director Katy Yoder. In 2001, Tisdel and Kathy Deggendorfer, then an SFF board member, created an art project called “Painted Strings.” Tisdel had acquired 24 guitars for the Americana Project, but they were unplayable. Around the same time, Deggendorfer had returned from the Albuquerque Balloon Festival, inspired by the colorful hot-air balloons against the blue sky. The two collaborated and an idea emerged. “We gave 12 guitars to students in the advanced
art class and 12 to professional artists in Central Oregon,” recalled Tisdel. “We then had these 24 guitars that were decorated in all sorts of ways, held an art auction and raised $17,000.” The success of that art auction prompted the two to create another fundraiser the following year, this time with the theme “Kite Strings.” It was also a great success, and at that point the SFF board decided to develop a brand identity for what would become an annual fundraiser to support their programming. Tisdel and Deggendorfer approached Ben Harper requesting permission to use his song title “With My Own Two Hands” as a title for their fundraiser.
“The song’s theme is how you can change or contribute to your community in a positive way with a little elbow grease and some artistic expression,” said Tisdel. The theme fit, the title was shortened to My Own Two Hands, and each year since then a committee has
gathered together and determined a social-awareness-flavored theme for artists contributing to the event to interpret in their work. This year, more than 100 artists contributed pieces for the Saturday night art auction. This year’s theme is “Imagine,” and the committee selected Sisters artist Kimry Jelen’s horse painting to represent the event as the featured art for the MOTH poster. The two-day celebration kicks off Friday, May 8, with a festive community parade down Main Avenue, between Fir and Oak streets. “Usually there are more people in the parade than lining the streets, but for us, that is the epitome of a community parade,” said Yoder. The parade starts at 4 p.m., so students can showcase their “parade-able art.” In addition, there will be an art stroll from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. The donated artwork will be on display at more than 20 supporting businesses and at the Sisters Art Works building. Proxy bid sheets will be available for those not able to attend Saturday’s auction. Friday night, festivities continue at The Belfry, where art stroll musicians and students in the Americana Project will perform from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Dinner is available for $10, and proceeds support SFF programs. Ponderosa Forge & Ironworks is the place to be Saturday, May 9, for the lively
Special Appreciation
2015 My Own Two Hands Poster Artist
Kimry Jelen
by Garth Williams
art auction and party. This year’s auctioneer, Jeff Mornarich, is an attorney and professional benefit auctioneer. “Jeff is known for keeping things fun and the pace moving,” said Yoder. Organizers recommend ordering tickets early, as the event typically sells out. “I’m completely blown away by the fact that artists give each year, and the quality of the work they give in support of young people,” said Tisdel. Yes, build it and they will strum. For more information about MOTH, visit www.sistersfolkfestival.org or call 541-549-4979.
Kimry Jelen is a Sisters-based artist and horse trainer who paints her passion for horses. Mostly selftaught, Jelen’s contemporary style and expressive portraits reveal the strength and natural intelligence of her equine subjects. In 2014, Jelen was one of 10 artists invited to show artwork at the World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France. At first she felt daunted by the undertaking, but Jelen received tremendous community support and, through a Kickstarter campaign, was able to have what she refers to as the “chance of a lifetime.” Drawing from that inspiring experience, Jelen created a painting to donate to this year’s My Own Two Hands fundraiser. “Since I had gone to France, I was thinking of all the textural and ancient buildings and how they had beautiful colors and were decorated with images of saints,” said Jelen. The artist painted a horse with a hint of wings, and included a rainbow of colors representing all the kindness and support she had received from so many people. Her painting, titled “Imagine,” was selected for the event’s poster. “When Kimry’s piece came in, from staff to board members, everyone said, ‘This is exactly what we are looking for,’” said SFF Development Director Katy Yoder. “This is my thank you, my pay-it-forward to the Sisters community,” said Jelen. Visit Kimry Jelen-Artist on Facebook or www.kimryjelen.com to view her artwork.
Thank You to our Year-Round Sponsors!
1859 Oregon Magazine • A Music Lover from Texas • Alpine Internet • Bank of the Cascades • Black Butte Ranch • Blazin Saddles Cycle N Style • C & C Nursery Captive Media Solutions • Cascade A&E • Clearwater Gallery • Depot Café • FivePine Lodge & Conference Center • Grocery Outlet • InFocus Eye Care • Lange Estate Winery • Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund • Melvin’s Fir St. Market • Sisters Coffee Company • Tate & Tate Catering • The Belfry • The Nugget Newspaper • Three Creeks Brewing Company Acoustic Guitar Magazine • Advanced Systems Portable Restrooms, Inc. • Allen Reel - Attorney at Law • Angeline’s Bakery & Café • Bowerman Guitars • Deering Banjo Company • Footzone/Outside In Hayden Homes • High Country Disposal • Inovia Vein Specialty Center • Jelly Belly Candy Company • Kaleidoscope Pizzeria & Pub • KLCC Radio • Leonardi Media Arts • Les Schwab Tire Centers Dennis McGregor • Paulina Springs Books • Ponderosa Forge & Ironworks • Ponderosa Properties • Ray’s Food Place • Shake, Log & Timber, LLC • Sisters Gallery & Frame Shop • Sisters Rental Sisters Screen Printing • Sisters Vacation Rentals LLC • Twist Cocktail Catering Co. • X-Press Printing
My Own Two Hands 2015 | 3
THANK YOU to Our Volunteers None of the great work of Sisters Folk Festival would happen without hours and hours of volunteer support. My Own Two Hands volunteers work for weeks in preparation for the two-day event. They help us receive, process and store the artwork; deliver artwork to stroll locations; plan and facilitate the student artwork created for the parade, auction and student art show; organize parade participants; set up, clean and decorate Ponderosa Forge and Ironworks for the art auction; deliver and set up the art donations for the auction; serve as auction spotters, bar tenders and art wrappers; clean up (again!) after the auction and help put everything away for next year. Volunteers sell tickets, answer phones, handle mailings, hunt and gather supplies, and in general they keep us sane. On behalf of the Sisters Folk Festival board of directors and staff, and all the students in our community who benefit from their experience in the Americana Project, a sincere and heartfelt thank-you to all of you who have given your time, talent and energy to make the 2015 My Own Two Hands event possible.
Sisters Folk Festival’s
Americana Project T
he Americana Project is an innovative music and arts education program with deep community outreach. Programs each day at all three schools in the Sisters School District provide opportunities for self-expression in music and the visual arts. Students learn to play guitar, write songs, perform, record and engineer their music, and, through the Community Luthier program, build custom guitars and ukuleles. Young people in Sisters also work with national, regional and local guest artists where they are mentored and great insight is shared on life as an artist, from the business to the artform. Through their exposure to guest
artists, guitar- and ukulele-building, and participation in My Own Two Hands, young children expand their thinking to see the arts as a lens through which to view life. Select high school students have the opportunity to teach, mentor and intern in community radio and recording/engineering through a Sisters Folk Festival collaboration with a local radio station. Many alumni go on to find meaningful work in artistic endeavors as recording artists and engineers, performers, luthiers, graphic designers, and teachers. For over a decade, students have received scholarships as well as provided great service to our community.
Oregon Community Foundation — “Studio to School” In May 2014, Sisters Folk Festival was granted one of 18 “Studio to School” grants in Oregon, through the Fred Fields Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation (OCF) for K-8 Arts Education. Our goal is to establish a sustainable, innovative, and foundational music and arts education program for students, grade K-8. We want to build teachers’ capacity to integrate arts into core curriculum design and instruction, and utilize the vast resource of talented teaching artists to
complement everyday programming. This past year has been a process in planning and implementation of the first year of a five-year grant. We have engaged the Sisters School District as a partner and have developed teams at both the elementary and middle schools. This fall, we hired two talented instructors to engage students. Karen Williams has worked closely with the elementary school staff and students to teach fundamentals of visual arts — color, design, line, shape, and form — and help raise the interest and skills of the students. The kids have responded incredibly well. At the middle school, Kit Stafford has worked with teams at the fifth- and sixth-grade
levels developing arts integration plans, where both the core academic content and the value of the arts discipline benefit greatly from this collaboration. As for music education, plans are under way to develop a piano lab at Sisters Middle School and teach a general music class to all fifth-graders. This will complement the work being done with choir, band, and the Americana Project. It is through this generous grant that we can play a pivotal role in shifting the culture of our schools to place music and arts education as a core value. We thank OCF, the visual artists, musicians and community for playing such an important role in enriching and transforming lives through the arts.
Americana Project Partners & Supporters: Bank of the Cascades •
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Danae Bennett-Miller • Breedlove Guitars • Caldera • Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation • Cris Converse • Fullhart Insurance Agency, Inc. • Alena Nore • Oregon Arts Commission and National Endowment for the Arts • PGE Foundation • Oregon Community Foundation • Sisters Park and Recreation District • Sisters School District • The Roundhouse Foundation • The Starview Foundation Fund, T J Education Fund, and Dottie and Eli Ashley Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation • Gray Family Foundation • Sharon Anglea Memorial Fund
“IMAGINE” COMMUNITY PARADE ROUTE & ART STROLL LOCATIONS: Friday, May 8 tia
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Art Stroll 2015 | Friday, May 8, 3:30-6:30 p.m. 1. Alpenhimmel Creative Arts Emporium
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10. Metolius Property Sales 290 E. Cascade Ave. Music by Doug and Katie Cavanaugh
17. Paulina Springs Books Music by Jim Cornelius and Friends
252 W. Hood Ave.
11. Blazin Saddles Cycle N Style Music by JZ and Friends
18. Ken Scott’s Imagination Gallery Music by Appaloosa
222 W. Hood Ave.
413 W. Hood Ave. Unit A
4. Cork Cellars Music by Allan Byer
391 W. Cascade Ave.
12. Hood Avenue Art Music by Bruce Schweitzer
357 W. Hood Ave.
19. Studio Redfield 183 E. Hood Ave., Space 200 Music by Americana Project Students
5. The Stitchin’ Post Music by Tom O.
311 W. Cascade Ave.
13. Gary Cooley - The Collection Gallery Music by Tyler Cranor Jazz Band
353 W. Hood Ave.
20. Melvin’s Fir Street Market
290 W. Cascade Ave.
14. Clearwater Gallery Music by Honey Don’t
303 W. Hood Ave.
15. Sisters Coffee Company Music by Americana Project Students
273 W. Hood Ave.
16. Sisters Gallery & Frame Shop Music by Rick Johnson
252 W. Hood Ave.
6. Mackenzie Creek Mercantile
7. Depot Café 250 W. Cascade Ave. Music by McGregor, Lombardi and Heithoff 8. The Jewel
221 W. Cascade Ave.
9. Common Threads
161 E. Cascade Ave.
160 S. Fir St.
21. FivePine Lodge and Conference Center
1021 Desperado Tr.
22. Three Creeks Brewing Company Music by Jeremy Storton
721 Desperado Ct.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT US: www.sistersfolkfestival.org • 541-549-4979 info@sistersfolkfestival.org • 204 W. Adams Ave., Suite 204
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My Own Two Hands 2015 | 5
ART AUCTION & PARTY: Saturday, May 9, 6 p.m. • Ponderosa Forge & Ironworks, Sisters
An Extra-Special Thank You!
ENTERTAINMENT:
Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen
Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen performed at the 2014 Sisters Folk Festival and blew everyone’s expectations away with masterful musicianship and tasteful arrangements. With their latest release, “Cold Spell,” landing a 2015 Grammy Nomination for Best Bluegrass Album, followed by an eight-award sweep at the 2015 WAMMIES, Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen, IBMA’s 2014 Instrumental Group of the Year, can’t slow down! Since Frank Solivan left the cold climes of Alaska for the bluegrass hotbed of Washington, D.C., he’s built a reputation as a monster mandolinist — and become a major festival attraction with his band, Dirty Kitchen. Solivan, with banjoist Mike Munford, 2013 IBMA Banjo Player of the Year, award-winning guitarist Chris Luquette, an official Preston Thompson Guitars-sponsored artist, and doghouse bassist Dan Booth, simmer a bluegrass/newgrass stew from instrumental, vocal and songwriting skills so hot, they’ve been named Washington Area Music Association’s Best Bluegrass Band of the Year for four consecutive years.
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Special thanks to our community of artists and musicians whose donations of artwork and song make the weekend of events an amazing success year after year. Thanks to Kit Stafford, Pamela Burry, Marean Jordan, Tracy Curtis and Susan Johnson for their planning, writing, creativity, sweat-equity and dedication to this event. We have THE most dedicated board members anyone could hope for. Hats off to Jack McGowan, Cris Converse, Debbie Newport, Sue Boettner, Kerry Bott, Jay Mather, Steve Mathews, Jim Cornelius, Jeff Smith, Susie Zeitner, JoAn Mann and Jim Cunningham for all the hours of hard work they put into this event. Jeff Wester goes above and beyond for MOTH — literally turning his business, Ponderosa Forge & Ironworks, upside down to accommodate the biggest and best party in Sisters. Thanks Jeff! We appreciate the time and talent donated by our framing sponsors, Clearwater Gallery, Eastlake Framing, LLC, and Sisters Gallery and Frame Shop. And special thanks as well to Deschutes Brewery, The Belfry, Three Creeks Brewing Company, Fullhart Insurance Agency, Ray’s Food Place, Sisters Rental, and Sisters Schools and teachers for their generous contributions.
SISTERS FOLK ARTS CIRCLE Our membership program, the Sisters Folk Arts Circle, provides music and art enthusiasts with tickets to Sisters Folk Festival’s annual events. Members have three options, and each level has a donation component that is tax-deductible. Join this fun group of folks who are passionate about the arts and don’t worry about buying tickets to the Winter Concerts Series, My Own Two Hands and the Festival. Call Katy Yoder at the SFF office to learn more.
AMERICANA PROJECT ARTS OUTREACH SCHOLARSHIPS Children in Sisters live in a community teeming with artistic opportunities. But private instruction, school programs with materials fees and extracurricular learning can be out of reach for many. SFF created the Americana Project Arts Outreach Scholarship fund so families don’t have to choose between basic necessities and their children’s creative expression. Started in 2011 with Family Access Network (FAN), the fund has grown steadily, enriching young lives. All families are welcome to participate by visiting the FAN office.
“IMAGINE”
The following five pages feature a listing of generous artists who offered their time and talents for the benefit of education and the arts.
SILENT AUCTION
MARK DAVIS: “Orange Poppies” Imagine lying in the grass watching the clouds passing by on a warm summer breeze. This painting will take you there. A first-time contributor to MOTH, Mark’s work can be seen at Clearwater Gallery. Stroll Location: Clearwater Gallery
CHARITY ALVA: “Sarsaparilla Reverie” “Sarsaparilla Reverie” represents a dreamy place in memory, where the sun is always shining and the door is always open. The colors of our memories are brighter and more vibrant than in real life, but then that’s the wonderful thing about imagination. Donated by: Alpenhimmel; Stroll Location: Alpenhimmel
MITCH DEADERICK: “Imagine a Time” Topped with an extraordinary fossil, this jar is both functional art and a window into the distant past. Mitch has blended the ancient with the new, topping his piece with Ammonite. Mitch loves the randomness of the firing process and the glazes he produces that keep his work fresh and ever-changing. Stroll Location: Hood Avenue Art
KATE ASPEN: “Chalcedonic Tranquility” The soothing tranquility of this necklace is reminiscent of cool water bubbling in a stream. Imagine your toes dangling into the sparkling water. The stones are a very desirable clear apple green variety of chalcedony — a microcrystalline type of quartz found in Australia. Stroll Location: Gary Cooley Gallery GORDON K. BAKER: “Death Valley N.P., Dunes” Baker imagined the warmth and many colors of Death Valley during the cold winter days in his Central Oregon home. A retired geologist, Gordon has a deep understanding of the landscapes he paints. He’s captured landscapes in Montana, Wyoming and Alaska, as well as national parks in the western U.S. Stroll Location: Melvin’s Fir Street Market KAY BAKER: “Guardian of the Flock” This iconic image typifies the rural lifestyle Central Oregonians love, and how seriously llamas take their important job as protectors of their wooly pasture-mates. Longtime supporters of My Own Two Hands, Kay and her husband, Gordon, are moving soon. We will miss them! Stroll Location: Sisters Gallery and Frame Shop TRICIA BIESMAN & CINDY SUMMERFIELD: “The Wonder of the Caterpillar” This piece was created to convey the wonder and inspiration of spring and nature by choosing springtime colors and imagined butterflies and cocoons. Tricia and Cindy’s pieces have a life of their own, and one can only imagine what will emerge when the nuno-felting process is complete. Donated by: The Way We Art; Stroll Location: The Stitchin’ Post WENDY BIRNBAUM: “March of the Wine Glasses” Imagine this graceful image adorning your wine bar. These wine glasses are lined up and awaiting the patrons at the Opera House in Oslo, Norway. This amazing marble and granite vision rises out of the fjord like a giant ice floe with curves, angles and light reflected in the glasses. Stroll Location: Cork Cellars CROW BLACK: “Soup/Stew Tureen” A prolific artist, Crow Black has generously given to My Own Two Hands for many years. This ceramic soup tureen combines his skills to produce a piece that is both beautiful and functional. Imagine the savory aromas that await! Stroll Location: Melvin’s Fir Street Market
by Mike Putnam
CROW BLACK: “Sonora Sunrise Necklace” Creating bold, interesting and iconic jewelry pieces has made Crow Black’s work popular in Central Oregon. This necklace features a Sonora Sunrise stone set in silver. Imagine the stories this stone could tell. Stroll Location: Metolius Property Sales BARBARA BOTT: “Imagine Flight” Barbara Bott’s cloth art was inspired by fabric from Asia that featured “cranes lifting off and circling throughout.” She combines fabric, handmade paper and bookbinding cloth into a triptych that unfolds to reveal the dramatic flight of cranes. Stroll Location: The Stitchin’ Post BOB BOUSQUET: Walnut Bench Bob has enjoyed woodworking for over 30 years. He strives to build items that are pleasing to touch, beautiful to look at, and useful to the owner. Bob’s work incorporates simple designs that highlight the wood. He is represented by Clearwater Gallery. Stroll Location: Clearwater Gallery PEG BRAND: “Imagine True Gender Equality” Alice Paul founded the National Woman’s Party and organized women to lobby for passage of the Susan B. Anthony Amendment in 1920, guaranteeing all women the right to vote. She later fought for the Equal Rights Amendment and is depicted here holding an ERA button. Paul inspired generations of women and men to imagine true gender-equality. Stroll Location: Blazin Saddles Cycle N Style JANIT BROCKWAY: “Raft” Janit asks you to imagine the scent and color of a flower, the possibility of sound in the endless spiral of a shell, the empty house at night and day, the shallow water with fish, the yellow raft carrying you to a new shore. Brockway owns Bedouin in Sisters, and is an annual contributor to My Own Two Hands. Stroll Location: Paulina Springs Books
JOYCE BROWN: “Of Earth and Sea” This jewelry is a joining of natural and man-made pieces. There are natural pearls and stones along with glass beads and silver. “The balance of man and nature is delicate, and I imagine that with great respect we can save Mother Earth.” Let’s all imagine that. Stroll Location: Sisters Art Works SUSAN BURCK: “Antique Kilem Bag” Susan combines aesthetic and beautiful materials to create this stunning bag: an old leather jacket for the base, salvaged riding-reins for the straps and a length of Kilem rug donated by artist Randy Redfield. Put your bids in early for this one! See more of her bags at Studio Redfield. Stroll Location: Studio Redfield MAREN INGA BURCK: “Untitled” Maren is a 2006 graduate of Sisters High School, and an Americana Project alum. Her work is inspired by folk stories and childhood memories, as well as traditional furniture, illustration, textiles and quilts. You can see more of her art at Studio Redfield in Sisters. Stroll Location: Studio Redfield JANE BURKHOLDER: “Handmade Hat” Jane is a Sisters fiber artist extraordinaire! Not long ago she collected the fur from her beloved Australian shepherd and spun it into a coat. This time she has used felt made from the merino wool of her Angora rabbit, Anouk. The result is this luxurious, one-of-kind hat lined with sari silk from India. Stroll Location: The Stitchin’ Post MEGAN CALARCO: “Men Are Strong, But Women Are Powerful” Women are powerful, fearless and underestimated. Women do not need to be praised, we need to be noticed. Megan is a student at Sisters High School. Stroll Location: Sisters Art Works Student Show
MICHELLE DEADERICK: “Image All Your Wishes Coming True” The theme “Imagine” of course brings John Lennon to mind and the wish for us all to live in harmony. As a child, Michelle loved to make a wish in a Wishing Well. She created a piece where she images all our wishes coming true. Stroll Location: Hood Avenue Art JACKIE ERICKSON: “Gathering Basket” Jackie brought her background in quilting and design to the creation of this organic gathering-basket made of batik-covered recycled cotton clothesline. “When I start a basket, I really have no idea what it will look like when finished. I leave it up to my imagination and go with the flow.” Stroll Location: The Stitchin’ Post BRANDON ERMATINGER: “Glacier” Brandon, a student at Sisters High School, is already a very talented photographer. This image was taken at Glacier National Park during a recent family vacation. Stroll Location: Sisters Art Works Student show BRANDON ERMATINGER: “Sunset” Brandon’s lens brings this solitary scene to life with the colors and mood of a Mexican sunset. Brandon generously donated two pieces for this year’s auction. Stroll Location: Sisters Art Works Student show ROD FREDERICK: “Red Alert” As a featured artist in the book “The Best of Wildlife Painting” (1997), native Oregonian Rod Frederick has had a passion for animals since youth. Blessed with a keen eye and artistic talent, Rod brings wildlife up close and personal. In this wonderful giclee print, Alaskan grizzlies prepare for a salmon feed. For a bit of fun, he included a 500-piece puzzle of his own design. Stroll Location: Sisters Art Works; Framing Sponsor: Clearwater Gallery CASEY GARDNER: “Red Balloon It Away” According to Gardner, this piece really painted itself. Her idea came from meditating on “imagining a world where we are one.” She had her best friends each pick a word that went with this meditation, and this is what they came up with! It is framed with recycled barn-wood. Stroll Location: Clearwater Gallery My Own Two Hands 2015 | 7
BETHANY GUNNARSON: “Three-Tier Necklace” This stunning necklace of brass, seastone and glass bead is the creation of the Sisters High School art teacher. Bethany specializes in jewelry-making, ceramics and painting. Her piece was inspired by Egyptian imagery and colors, and allows the wearer to choose which side will face out, as it is reversible. Now that takes imagination! Stroll Location: Common Threads LINDA HANSON: “Leave A Note” Last year, on a trip to the small town of Shaniko, Linda spotted this brass door-knocker and pencil set, just begging for someone to leave a message in what is actually a ghost town. This print of an original photograph demonstrates Hanson’s sharp eye for capturing detail that tells a story of our unique place in the world. Stroll Location: Sisters Coffee Company LINDA HANSON: “Ivar’s Porch” Details abound in this scene of a country porch, leaving us wondering who lives there. Light, shadows and shapes give this giclee an intimate expression. Hanson painted the original soon after her father’s death, and now it’s held in a private collection in Washington, D.C. Stroll Location: Metolius Property Sales SYDNEY HARRISON: “Wild and Fun!” Growing up in the forests of Oregon gave Sydney a deep appreciation for the wild, abundant beauty here. The theme took her back to those joyful times outdoors, and her pillow reflects her “imaginings” about the forest and wildlife she loves. Stroll Location: Metolius Property Sales
BERTA HEISLER: “Magenta Blue Jewelry Set with Silver Chain” Dichroic Glass with multiple layers presents images that can become meaningful depending on the imagination of the viewer. “Cada cabesa es un mundo — every head is one world.” And there you see the beauty of imagination. Stroll Location: Preston Thompson Guitars SUSAN LUCKEY HIGDON: “Harbinger Of Spring” Artist Susan Luckey Higdon has lived in Central Oregon for 30 years, which may explain her ability to easily capture a particular moment in nature. Her wildlife and landscapes are always depicted with joy and a rare, talented eye. With this giclee, it’s finches on a spring branch just waiting to take flight. Stroll Location: Clearwater Gallery PATRICK HORSLEY: “Medium Footed Bowl” Ceramic artist Patrick Horsley believes making pottery is a dance. Sometimes wheel-thrown, sometimes slabs, Horsley is fascinated by containers of all sorts. Influenced by architectural shapes and rock formations on the east side of the Cascades, this beautiful shallow bowl reflects the land we call home. Stroll Location: Three Creeks Brewing Company JIM HORSLEY: “In Sync” This jewel of a painting is one more example of Jim Horsley’s passion for the classic working life of the American West. Ranch work and rodeos provide bountiful material for this talented artist who has the rare ability to capture a fleeting moment in time. Stroll Location: Mackenzie Creek Mercantile
EMILY HARTFORD: “Earth & Stars” Everything around us is also within us — if you can imagine it, it exists. Stroll Location: Sisters Art Works Student Show
JENNIFER HARTWIG: “Sisters” “Sisters” is crafted in the unique medium of scratchboard. A drawing board is coated with a fine layer of white clay and top-coated with permanent black ink. The artist uses sharp scribing tools to scratch literally thousands of marks into the surface, producing an effect similar to engraving. Jennifer specializes in pet portraits and has done commission work for clients throughout the US and Canada. Stroll Location: Mackenzie Creek Mercantile 8 | Sisters Magazine
raku pots, inspired by her fascination with the creative power of fire and the challenges of the raku process. Stroll Location: Mackenzie Creek Mercantile JENELLE KATHAN: “Footsteps Of My Mother (A Sampler Quilt)” Jenelle’s interest in other mediums — such as textiles, embroidery and woodworking — has inspired her to explore those possibilities in glass. Recently she discovered how thoughtful and nurturing her work has become, allowing her to deepen her fascination with glass. “The universal themes of my work are based on my life’s journey … life, death and wild abandon.” Stroll Location: Gary Cooley Gallery HEDI KERSHAW: “Turquoise Necklace & Earrings” Every year Kershaw has given jewelry of her own creation to support Sisters Country youth. Turquoise with sterling and tiger eye, this necklace and earrings will add that final touch to any outfit. Stroll Location: Common Threads KIM KIMERLING: “Something To Crow About” A widely recognized mixed-media artist and teacher, Kim Kimerling has “talked to crows since I was a kid. If you call back at them, they will call to you.” He uses carved wood, metal, cardboard and acrylic to express his imaginative connection to crows. Stroll Location: Studio Redfield
JACK HARTMAN: “Trout” This painting is a result of many snorkeling trips to the Florida Keys. A generous contributor to My Own Two Hands, Hartman has a passion for painting fish of all stripes, celebrating his love of the natural world. Stroll Location: Depot Café JACK HARTMAN: “Mountain Fog” Living on a ranch a few miles from Sisters, Jack Hartman wakes up every morning to the sound of cattle and coyotes. Then he grabs his cup of coffee and heads to his studio. This river landscape could have been right outside his window, but is actually painted from his imagination. Stroll Location and Framing Sponsor: Sisters Gallery and Frame Shop
by Jack Hartman
by Thomas Means
RICK JUDY: “Mortar & Pestle” The woods in this graceful mortar and pestle are walnut, maple & birdseye maple. The bowl was glued and turned in the woodshop at Sisters High School, where Rick volunteers teaching students the art of woodworking. Stroll Location: Alpenhimmel RICK JUDY: “Think It Watercolor It” Rick suggests that viewers study his photograph and let their mind relax and drift. “This allows you to let problems be solved as your focus settles in on pattern, color and texture variations.” Stroll Location: Common Threads KAREN KASSY: “Horsehair Raku Pottery” “What does your imagination see when you look at the random shapes produced by fire and earth?” Karen’s answer is expressed in this pair of horsehair
AL KRAUSE: “Imagine, Without All The People” “It is impossible to imagine any better light for this scene.” Al Krause captures the drama and solitude of a fall morning just after sunrise at Black Butte Ranch. Printed on polished metal, his photograph expresses the beauty of an autumn landscape in Sisters Country. Stroll Location: Sisters Art Works KIM LUCKINI: “She Who Said ‘Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend’ Never Had A Dog” The artist conceived this painting on a gorgeous summer morning on the Oregon Coast while on a camping trip with her dog, Riley. Alone on the beach, they created these beautiful long shadows, before running wildly down to the water. Most girls (and guys) can “imagine” their toes in the sand, experiencing the exuberant joy of connecting with their dog. Stroll Location: Blazin Saddles SCOTT MCALLISTER: “Community Church” Landscapes and still lifes capture this artist’s imagination. This year McAllister was inspired to
paint this white chapel on a golden field. Using soft pastels, he was entranced by the contrasting light, color and shapes. Stroll Location: Three Creeks Brewing Company SANDRA MCBRIDE: “Necklace & Earring Set” Imagine… A stroll on the beach, where waves have polished the agates and refined their black surfaces and gray and pink pearls have found the shoreline and blended with the stones into a silvery collage. Imagine these treasures of water and earth formed into strands of wearable art. Stroll Location: Alpenhimmel HADLEY MCCANN: “Dreamy Waters (Fall Reflections on Clear Lake)” Hadley McCann found inspiration in Clear Lake, an iconic gem of the Cascades. Floating on the lake and becoming lost in the fall colors is a wonderful way to spend time daydreaming and “imagining.” Hadley takes us there with his impressionist image of a fall landscape reflected in the crystalline waters. Stroll Location: FivePine Lodge and Conference Center THOMAS MEANS: “Laurie” Master craftsman Thomas Means created this decorative, segmented wood bowl made of yellow heart, paduak and maple. Imagine its creative intricacy gracing your table. Stroll Location: Sisters Art Works MARY MEDRANO: “Twilight” Mary imagines the Deschutes River as a “watery ribbon enveloped by browns and grays.” Her painting evokes the change of seasons and the passing of time. “It won’t be long before the next season has an entirely new palette that can only now be imagined.” Stroll Location: Paulina Springs Books SANDY MELCHIORI: “Skis and Sunflowers” Dramatic brush-strokes and bold color create an immediate connection to the viewer, and Melchiori gets it just right. Well known for her joyful portraits of dogs, this time she uses her imagination to conjure the dream of a day of skiing in a field of sunflowers. Stroll Location: Sisters Art Works KENNETH MERRILL: “Copper Red Lamp” This beautiful lamp was hand-thrown on a potter’s wheel, and glazed with copper red, titanium and iron oxide which produces golden-brown crystals
that run down over the copper red and produce feathers of blue and golden brown. Stroll Location: Clearwater Gallery GARY N. MILLER: “The Burn” “The Burn” is a true photograph, not a painting, and has not been altered by any photo manipulations outside basic tonal adjustments. Gary created this piece through a slow vertical panning technique on fire-burned tree trunks in a carpet of golden autumn ferns in the Metolius Basin. It has been giclee printed on fine-art paper and is enclosed in museum-quality glass. Stroll Location: Preston Thompson Guitars LYNNE MYERS: “How Tweet It Is” Imagine. Can you just be? No worries, no problems, just be. For Lynne, art is about having fun with colors and expressing the things that are connected to her soul. Animals, nature, the woods, rivers, rocks and mountains put a smile on her face. Through this “tweet” piece, she certainly passes that feeling on. Stroll Location: Three Creeks Brewing Company JILL NEAL: “Red Boot Trio/Tres” This is an artist’s proof of a limited edition of 250 in the Red Boot series. Jill’s new book, cards, plate and limited-series wine, “Menopause Merlot,” are fun little extras that accompany the piece. According to Jill, “all my work is from my imagination.” Stroll Location and Framing Sponsor: Sisters Gallery and Frame Shop ALENA NORE: “Growth” The child represents beginnings while the older figure is holding onto the darkness of his past. Together, they show the progression of life, and how growth is neither good nor bad. Stroll Location: Sisters Art Works Student Show JEANIE OGDEN: “Pillows Talk” An avid recycler, Ogden enjoys hunting for upholstery remnants in all colors and textures to create her imaginative pillows. This time she offers a subtle Western theme in soft pastels. These will look great on any couch, bed or easy chair! Stroll Location: The Stitchin’ Post TOM OWCZARZAK & LISA VOELKER: “Earrings” These earrings are hand-fabricated of polished and oxidized sterling silver and 14k yellow gold, and brass wire-wrapped faceted briolettes of white topaz and green tourmaline dangles. They are designed and created by husband-and-wife jewelers, Tom and Lisa. They are ardent supporters of our efforts to enhance the arts in our local schools. Stroll Location: FivePine Lodge and Conference Center
ards has created these from textile materials, using mythological shapes and icons to magical effect. No shortage of imagination here! Stroll Location: Sisters Gallery and Frame Shop BRUCE SHINGLEDECKER: “Lonely At The Top” Bruce Shingledecker was a well-respected artist in Juneau, Alaska, known for his piercing animal eyes. Bruce passed away in 2007, but Cha For The Finest gallery in Sisters continues to sell and promote his amazing work, and annually donates a piece for our auction. Donated by: Cha For the Finest; Stroll Location: Cork Cellars SISTERS HIGH SCHOOL WOODSHOP: “Adirondack Chairs (3)” The Sisters High School Woodshop has generously donated a trio of beautifully finished Adirondack chairs. What a perfect way to enjoy the warm, summer evenings in Sisters. Stroll Location: Sisters Art Works SISTERS HIGH SCHOOL WOODSHOP: “Jewelry Boxes (3)” This trio of jewelry boxes will hold all your special treasures. They were made by the students in the Sisters High School Woodshop and exquisitely finished by volunteer Gabrielle Franke. Stroll Location: Sisters Art Works MARTY STEWART: “Shadows Along the River” Stewart chose black paper for this painting to emphasize the dark of the trees and river, providing a stark and dramatic contrast with the lighter values. “Imagine” relates to the experiment with a different color of paper, as well as the mystery of the dark shadows and wondering what lies there. Stroll Location: Sisters Coffee Company CAROLINE STRATTON: “Ravens” These ravens have so many human characteristics; they are intelligent, comical, creative and social. Stratton captured these three fellows socializing in an old juniper tree. Imagine what they’re saying! Stroll Location: Sisters Art Works STUDIO REDFIELD: “Birch Woods” The soft lyrical branch lines and gloss versus matte surface texture makes “Birch Woods” one of the artist’s favorite Studio Redfield tile murals. It is a window that invites thoughts of nature and what lies beyond in the peaceful, uplifting woods. Stroll Location: Studio Redfield
AVALON PARSONS: “Bent But Not Broken” Having grown up on a homesteaded ranch in the Mojave Desert, long-time contributor Avalon Parsons has made Central Oregon her home for nearly 40 years. Using the palette knife, Parsons depicts light, weather and geography to strong effect. As always, we are grateful for her contribution. Stroll Location: Alpenhimmel LEOTIE RICHARDS: “Dragon Bowl and Unicorn Bowl” These decorative bowls can be hung on a wall or displayed on a table. Ingeniously, Leotie Rich-
the bright flowers on the west side every spring.” Barbara’s watercolor — a nostalgic representation of years gone by — captures the peacefulness of a spring garden on the other side of the mountains. Stroll Location: Melvin’s Fir Street Market NINA WALZ: “Dream Weavers” Walz has a knack for combining whimsy and function in her ceramic ware. The freedom and connectivity of bird life were tools for Nina’s imagination. Stroll Location: Ken Scott’s Imagination Gallery CONRAD WEILER: “The Rose” What is the fragrance of a perfect rose? Conrad Weiler invites us to imagine it in this dramatic photograph. Conrad has been a digital freelance photographer in Central Oregon since 1995. He is presently the photographer for the High Desert Aquatic Alliance Foundation. Stroll Location: Sisters Art Works by Kim Kimerling
KATHERINE TAYLOR: “Venus Imagining” Katherine devotes herself to painting images saturated with visual metaphors and symbology. In this work, Venus regally appraises the wine and fruit in front of her, imagining their taste on her lips. Katherine teaches and lectures on art, has shown in juried exhibitions and is collected throughout the U.S. and Europe. Stroll Location: Hood Avenue Art ROSALIE VAN NESS-HANFORD: “I’m A Dreamer” Rosalie’s “Whimsical Fish” watercolor celebrates the joy of sea-life. Using bold color and fanciful composition, this painting expresses a love of nature and the joy to be found there. This is the fourth in her “Fish” series. Stroll Location: Sisters Art Works WENDY VERNON: “New Moon” A prolific jewelry-maker, Vernon combines the rich colors and textures of labradorite, pearls and drusy crystal with African trade beads in this shimmering necklace-and-earrings set. It expresses the quiet reflection of the moon, a favorite source of inspiration. Stroll Location: Cork Cellars WENDY VERNON: “Full Moon” Wendy’s necklace and earrings, made of sterling, pewter, freshwater pearl, rainbow moonstone, drusy agate and ivory, are one of two sets inspired by the stillness and phases of the moon. Stroll Location: Common Threads GREG WADDELL: “Imagine A World With No Color” When Waddell is taking his images he immerses himself in his subject. Working with light, he sees, feels, smells and hears it all around him. He can’t imagine a world without color in his continual quest to capture light and its amazing effect on the world. Stroll Location: Blazin Saddles Cycle N Style DAKOTA WAGNER: “Piece Of Mind” Imagination is taking something “boring” and turning it into something of your own. It generally involves breaking the rules of society, thus the pieces of his mind are “breaking free.” Dakota is a student at Sisters High School. Stroll Location: Sisters Art Works Student Show
by Jean Wells Keenan
BARBARA WALTER: “Spring Cottage” “I love living in Central Oregon, but do remember
GARTH WILLIAMS: “Summer Aspens” Experience color through the eyes of first-time contributor Garth Williams and open your mind to a new way of seeing. You can see more of his work at Clearwater Gallery in Sisters. Stroll Location: Clearwater Gallery LYNN WOODWARD: “The Caterpillar’s Surprise” Glimpses of a mud-puddling tiger swallowtail butterfly travel across the flags of an accordion book. Could any of us imagine the possibilities of transformation as grand as that which a caterpillar undergoes? Photograph and book design by Lynn Woodward; poem by Kim Luckini. Stroll Location: Blazin Saddles Cycle N Style
LIVE AUCTION RICK BARTOW: “Big Eagle, ed 21/22” This year the Charles Froelick Gallery and Rick Bartow have donated a dry point print which is an etching printed on handmade Japanese paper. Life experiences, cultural engagement and global myths, especially Native American transformation stories, are at the heart of Bartow’s art. His work is in museums from coast to coast, including the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, DC. Donated by: Courtesy of Froelick Gallery; Stroll Location and Framing Sponsor: Clearwater Gallery DOROTHY FREUDENBERG & PAUL ALAN BENNETT: “Dreaming of Giant Poppies” Dorothy Freudenberg is well-known for her unique giclee prints, created on a computer using Photoshop. In this piece, she combined a scan of a Paul Alan Bennett painting with one of her poppy images. Giclee prints are often copies of other artwork, however, in this case the art has been “imagined” from these two beautiful works of art. Each print is akin to a limited edition photograph. Stroll Location: Sisters Gallery and Frame Shop; Framing Sponsor: Eastlake Framing DANAE BENNETT-MILLER: “Peace In The Forest” This one-of-a-kind monoprint is an example of the elegance and power found in Danae’s work. Known for her sculptures that grace cityscapes in Bend and Sisters, she captures the beauty of Central Oregon My Own Two Hands 2015 | 9
wildlife. Her printmaking utilizes her love of drawing and expression and exemplary use of line and color. She combines that skill with embossing and shaping paper over forms to create sculptural effects in a 2D process. Her work is shown at Tumalo Art Company in Bend. Stroll Location: Sisters Art Works JAYSON BOWERMAN: “StoneAge Edge” Imagine the perfect day afield, watching the horizon change from black to purple to blue before the blazing sun rises over Black Butte, your breath lingering in the still air as you watch the game moving through the tall timber and chaparral. Spotting your quarry, you wait for the wind to set up in your favor before the final stalk. The perfect shot, a quick and noble end. You give thanks to the Great Spirit for the meat before beginning the real work. A perfectly balanced blade in your hand, you give thanks that the beautifully crafted Japanese blade remains razor sharp, cut after cut, making quick work of putting-by your winter provisions before heading back to town. Stroll Location: The Jewel ADAM BRONSTEIN: “Maple Burl Coffee Table” This coffee table features an Oregon big-leafmaple burl top with cocobolo butterfly key inlays. When you look over the wild wood grain, imagine what features come into focus … waterfalls, volcanoes or other elements found in nature. Stroll Location: Sisters Art Works JOANN BURGESS: “Morning Mist” Capturing the serenity and beauty found in nature has turned painting into a form of meditation for
Druian’s work honors the beauty found so abundantly in our region. See more of her work at Tumalo Art Company in Bend and Clearwater Gallery in Sisters. Stroll Location: Clearwater Gallery
Burgess. Looking out at the morning mist along the Oregon Coast inspired her to imagine all kinds of possibilities in life. Burgess is a partner at Hood Avenue Art in Sisters, where her work is shown. Stroll Location: Hood Avenue Art JOANN BURGESS & SUSIE ZEITNER: “A Moment In Time” This collaborative piece is one of ten created by Burgess and Zeitner. In their partnership they use barn wood or scrap metal as a foundation, layered with a pastel landscape and topped with fused glass. All three pieces are then bolted together to create stunning mixed media. Stroll Location: Hood Avenue Art LAURA CAMPBELL: “In The Land Of Sage And Juniper” Laura’s sculpture is inspired by North American folklore and the whimsical and playful nature of the rarely seen jackalope. The jackalope was said to be fearsome and ferocious, but Laura shines a new light on this wonderfully odd- looking hare. Her jackalopes are caught mid-action having fun with friends and family, laughing, leaping, and playing. Looks like the stories have it all wrong. Stroll Location: Studio Redfield PATRICIA CLARK: “Red Ledge” The founder of Atelier 6000 in Bend and a master printmaker and art teacher, Clark’s work is informed by life in the high desert. An original print/drawing, this piece reflects the essence of the terrain with its secrets hidden in the desert stream, forest or rock
by Dorothy Freudenberg & Paul Alan Bennett
strata. This award-winning work was a part of the EDGES AND LEDGES series shown at the Governor’s office in 2012. Stroll Location: Gary Cooley Gallery; Framing Sponsor: Eastlake Framing KATHY DEGGENDORFER: “North to Jefferson” Deggendorfer imagined a world glowing with health and well-being when she created this piece for an installation at St. Charles Medical Center in Bend. “This is the working painting for the third panel of a tile mural,” she said. She never imagined she’d have the opportunity to create such a public piece dedicated to healing. You can see Kathy’s work at kathydeggendorfer.com. Stroll Location and Framing Sponsor: Clearwater Gallery GIL DELLINGER: “Afternoon At 10,000 Feet” This work was painted on location above Ouray, Colorado last September. Gil was working with artists from the Plein Air Painters of America in their annual paint-out. Gil has been painting for 45 years, residing mostly in the central valley of California, where he taught in the art department at the University of the Pacific for 30 years. He has been in Bend for the last two years and is represented locally by Tumalo Art Co. Stroll Location: Paulina Springs Books DEPOT CAFÉ: “SFF Special Patron Package” Enjoy a unique Sisters Folk Festival experience at the Depot Café. On Saturday night of the Sisters Folk Festival (Sept. 12) you and five friends can enjoy dinner and drinks in their private upstairs dining area, with a balcony overlooking the popular Depot Café stage. This VIP package includes two all-event passes to the Festival, plus access for the six of you to the upstairs area all day on Saturday, even when the venue is full. Stroll Location: Depot Café SAGE DORSEY: “Imagine If Sleeping On A Bench Was Always A Choice” Dorsey combines his love of woodworking and using salvaged materials with his passion for community support and giving to others. His benches are rugged and made to withstand anything the Central Oregon weather might produce. Stroll Location: Sisters Art Works JANICE DRUIAN: “Mountain Glow” This year’s theme inspired Druian to imagine herself in a scene where the sounds of an electronic world and the conflicts found there simply disappear. Looking down on the Deschutes River and beyond to the Cascade Range, Janice leaves the chaos behind. A unique interpreter of the Central Oregon landscape,
10 | Sisters Magazine
LAURENCE A. DYER: “Jewelry Boxes (2)” Every year, Dyer’s handcrafted creations are anticipated by longtime fans of his work. This year’s pieces are no exception, with their attention to detail and masterful use of color and grain. Laurence has a history in Central Oregon that harkens back to the early days in Camp Sherman when only a few cabins existed along the Metolius River. He is truly a Central Oregon treasure. The boxes will go to the two highest bidders. High bid gets first choice of these beautiful boxes. Stroll Location: The Jewel STEVEN FRANDSEN: “Zochi” Zochi was the legendary blind swordsman, his spirit animals grace the elk-antler handle; raven, hummingbird, jay, ram, and snake. Their gemstone eyes are pearl, aquamarine, jasper, garnet and pink tourmaline. The blade is razor-sharp, hand-forged of high-carbon steel. The sheath covered in snakeskin. This treasure includes Frandsen’s handcrafted, antler sword stand. Stroll Location: Sisters Art Works ELIZABETH GANJI: “Beckon” This magnificent piece welcomes you to a serene, beautiful place. Elizabeth was raised in a family brimming with artists and creatives, so she understands the importance of the Americana Project and providing artistic outlets for our youth. She is represented by Clearwater Gallery in Sisters and Boulevard Gallery in Washington. Stroll Location and Framing Sponsor: Clearwater Gallery RITA GAROLIS-MACDONALD: “Think Pink” Imagine the tiniest seed of matter inside an oyster that magically transforms into a precious, luminous pearl. In the same way, the seed of an idea develops and blossoms if we can imagine the possibilities and let them gather momentum. The artist describes the technique for this piece as lost-wax casting/carving sterling silver with pearl. Stroll Location: The Jewel WINNIE GIVOT: “Summer Field - Sisters” The memory of a drive into Sisters after late spring rains and the extraordinary colors in the fields stayed vividly in Givot’s mind long after the season had changed and the colors had faded. Her desire to paint that image never left. She sees the importance of art, of how it feeds us, inspires us and brings us to a new level of being... Imagine that for our children! Givot’s work can be seen at Hood Avenue Art in Sisters. Stroll Location: Hood Avenue Art DYRK GODBY: “Sleepy Bedroom Community” Imagine Sisters Country thousands of years ago. A place where people lived as their ancestors had before them. Some were nomadic, moving with the seasons while others settled in one place like this idyllic scene in our own backyard. Stroll Location and Framing Sponsor: Clearwater Gallery JAN HANSSON: “Imagine All The People...” Jan’s inspiration flows from the lines of the sculp-
ture emerging as he carves. He has a minimalistic approach to life, and says one can see more when there is less to look at! He invites you to look at this piece and see that we are all one. Stroll Location: FivePine Lodge and Conference Center NORMA HOLMES: “Peaceful Water, Fall River” Holmes’ piece inspires you to imagine a community that celebrates the beauty of Mother Nature. A prolific plein air artist, she has captured the colors and calm of a Central Oregon waterway. Known for her exemplary depictions of local landscapes, Holmes’ art is collected nationwide, and she is a signature member of the Northwest Pastel Society. Her work is shown at Mockingbird Gallery in Bend. Stroll Location: Paulina Springs Books KIMRY JELEN: “Imagine” Jelen is no stranger to imagining possibilities and making them happen. This winged horse represents her own dream to take flight and show her work at the World Equestrian Games in France. The painting is a “thank-you note” for the support she received from her community so she could make her dream come true. Chosen for this year’s MOTH poster, the image personifies what can happen when we free ourselves to imagine what’s possible. Jelen is represented by Sisters Gallery and Frame Shop, the Absolute Horse tack shop in Bend, Ozone Fine Art in Newport, and The Gallery of the Horse in France. Stroll Location and Framing Sponsor: Sisters Gallery and Frame Shop BILL MACDONALD: “Kona Breeze On A Wave” The tenor ukulele Bill created for this year’s auction is a tonal balance of black walnut, Honduran mahogany, Indian rosewood and ebony. The hummingbird inlay is abalone, mother-of-pearl and red stone. The Americana Community Luthier Project is a collaboration between Bill’s company, Kona Breeze Ukes, Sisters High School and the Sisters Folk Festival’s Americana Project. With Bill’s guidance, students are creating their very own ukuleles and guitars, learning new skills and building a life-long passion for the craft. Stroll Location: Paulina Springs Books JAY MATHER: “Smith Rocks, 2015” Was the spirit of John Lennon appearing over the Crooked River and Smith Rock on a sunny afternoon? Mather pondered how that white dove cloud formed at just the right moment for him to make this photograph. Serendipity, combining skill and opportunity, is the best tool in his camera bag. Mather has been a working photojournalist since 1972. He received the Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting in 1980. Stroll Location: Metolius Property Sales STEVE MATHEWS: “So You See, There Was This Duck” Steve’s quirky sense of humor comes through loud and clear in this ingenious cabinet. Where else can you find a duck and a fish so whimsically incorporated into such a practical piece of cabinetry? Stroll Location: Sisters Art Works CHRIS NELSON: “Imagine The Culinary Possibilities” Nelson loves the colors, textures & shapes of these grocery store produce shelves. She enjoys the abstract quality created by the grouping of
My Own Two Hands
2015AWARDS Theme Award: Kimry Jelen Merit Awards: Patricia Clark, Jennifer by Greg Waddell
all those vegetables. Imagine all the combinations of foods that can be created with these ingredients!! Chris manages the frame shop and shows her work at Clearwater Gallery. Stroll Location: Clearwater Gallery COURTNEY PARKER: “Soul Song” Parker was compelled to create a piece that reflected the deep appreciation for music in Central Oregon. She worked to capture the depth and emotion of a musician lost in a song played from the heart. To Parker, music is an art form that makes the world a better place. Stroll Location: Sisters Coffee Company PRESTON THOMPSON GUITARS: “Mahogany Dreadnought with Adirondack Spruce Top” Handmade right here in Sisters by master luthier Preston Thompson, this traditional instrument is based on the famous 1937 D-28 owned by the late, great Charles Sawtelle of the renowned Bluegrass band Hot Rize. It features Honduran mahogany back and sides and an Adirondack spruce top, and was crafted to produce the tone and volume that the dreadnought guitar was originally designed to achieve. Visit Preston and his craftsmen at his Main Avenue studio in Sisters. Stroll Location: Preston Thompson Guitars MIKE PUTNAM: “Serpentine Stream” Putnam is a fine-art landscape photographer whose work is found in corporate and private collections across the United States. He exclusively utilizes a large-format 4x5 film camera, which gives his work exceptional detail and a distinct look and feel. Based in Bend, his work emphasizes the natural beauty of the Central Oregon region. Stroll Location: Depot Café; Framing Sponsor: Eastlake Framing RANDY REDFIELD: “Planet Four” This painting was the first of a series done on wood panels with oil paint. Created for Randy’s one-man show at the BICA Gallery in Bend, it is part of an exhibit that was chosen by the Oregon Arts Commission to hang in the State Capitol building in 2013. The storyline is based on the movement of’ ‘orbs’ thru compositional spaces and hence has terrestrial landscape appearance in an imaginary setting. Stroll Location: Studio Redfield DAN RICKARDS: “Imagine The Places We Could Go” Rickards gives you a glimpse into this Italian scene where he spent time with his family. Rickards has received numerous awards for his work, especially his recent National Park Collection. Dan and his
wife, Julia, own the stunning Clearwater Gallery in Sisters, exhibiting the work of many of our MOTH artists. Stroll Location and Framing Sponsor: Clearwater Gallery DENNIS SCHMIDLING: “Dawn At Smith Rock” Dennis’s captivating image pictures the golden sunrise and moonset at Smith Rock on Oct. 9, 2014, the day following a total lunar eclipse. “One moment, the world was completely dark and silent, not a bird or a person stirring, then the sun peeked over the horizon and lit up this orange-tuff rock, and you could hear birds, insects, people’s footsteps. It was an orchestra of sound and color.” Schmidling is a fine artist, framer and co-manager of Sisters Gallery and Frame Shop. Stroll Location: Sisters Gallery and Frame Shop KEN SCOTT: “River Run” Ken Scott’s imagination is vast, and his creations are strong and built with love. Ken uses all the ingredients needed in the creative process including craftsmanship, dedication, courage and stamina to create his sometimes-massive works of art. Visit his gallery on Hood Avenue in Sisters and take a tour through his imaginings-made-real. Stroll Location: Ken Scott’s Imagination Gallery HANNAH TENNESON: “Lights In The Dark” A Sisters High School student and artist, Tenneson created a bold image of flowers on a large canvas. Art instructor Bethany Gunnarson has helped many Sisters students follow their artistic interests and explore where their talents will take them. Tenneson’s donation will help further the budding careers of younger students as she gives back to the program that means so much to her. Stroll Location: Sisters Art Works Student Show RANDALL TILLERY: “Nature’s Gift” Randall asked the question, “Can you imagine life without the wonderful fall colors that we are blessed to see every year?” This painting will encourage you to take the time to absorb and truly appreciate the beauty that is Central Oregon. Tillery has enjoyed painting the splendor of Sisters Country after moving here from the Gold Country of California. Stroll Location: Clearwater Gallery MARY JO WEISS: “Envisage” Mary Jo has been designing and creating jewelry for over 35 years. She chose this piece for her donation because, in stones lore, labradorite is said to stimulate the imagination! It is combined
Hartwig, Preston Thompson Guitars
Americana Folk Award: Kim Kimerling
Student Achievement Award: Dakota Wagner
Spirit of Giving Award: Jayson Bowerman
Ben Westlund Advocate for the Arts: Jim Golden
with sugelite (said to bring love and wisdom) and 14k yellow gold. This necklace is a stunning example of how Mary Jo combines various metals, textures and flowing lines with angular elements. Her work can be found locally at The Jewel in Sisters, and she has recently moved her working studio to the Torch Jewelry Collective on Centennial Court in Bend. Stroll Location: The Jewel JEAN WELLS KEENAN: “Metolius V” An author, educator, designer and owner of The Stichin’ Post in Sisters, Jean has been going to her grandma’s cabin on the Metolius River since 1945. The rainbow trout in the Metolius that she saw as a 5-year-old have been an inspiration to her since then “the colors, so rich and interesting, are imagined into life once again.” Stroll Location: The Stitchin’ Post JEFF WESTER: “Custom Wine Rack & Selection of Fine Wines” Ponderosa Forge & Ironworks generously donates the space for our annual art auction and party, as well as this hand-forged wine rack. Wines donated by many businesses and community members make this a highly sought-after auction item. The lucky bidder will get the wine rack, a custom wine case, several cases of delectable wine and a gift certificate for dinner and bottle of wine at Latigo restaurant in Sisters. Stroll Location: Cork Cellars SUSIE ZEITNER: “Creative Transformation” Zeitner has been working in fused glass for over 18 years. Through her business, Z Glass Act, she has been creating glass lighting and architectural glass installations all over the U.S. and Hawaii. Working in kiln-fired glass in her Sisters studio she creates in the spirit of light and its energy. Her work can be seen in many large hotels, hospitality and restaurant projects. Every year, patrons anticipate the amazing creation Zeitner offers for the auction. Stroll Location: Displayed at art auction only. My Own Two Hands 2015 | 11
SPOTLIGHT: Jewelry Artist Mary Jo Weiss
SPOTLIGHT: Legendary Artist Rick Bartow
Wearable ART Life Revealed by Susan Stafford, for The Bulletin Special Projects / photo by Kevin Prieto
Out of Mary Jo Weiss’s studio flows uniquely handcrafted fine art jewelry incorporating gold, silver, niobium, mokume, and precious and semi-precious gemstones. For this year’s auction benefitting My Own Two Hands (MOTH), she has created a pendant reflecting the theme, “Imagine.” Stones of labradorite and sugilite are incorporated into the design fashioned from 14K gold. Lore surrounding the blue labradorite purports it stimulates the imagination, while the mottled lavender sugilite promotes love and wisdom. Besides combining materials to create organic textures both rough and refined, many of Weiss’s pieces are versatile, with interchangeable components to mix and match. Incorporating a variety of techniques including forging, stamping, casting, roller printing and fabrication, she creates finely detailed earrings, bracelets, wedding jewelry, pendants, pins and rings. Weiss has been a consistent contributor to the art auction, and her donation each year is highly prized by MOTH bidders. “Mary Jo’s jewelry is exquisitely designed. She has donated high-quality pieces every year and has helped raise a significant amount of money for the Americana Project. We are extremely grateful for her donations,” said Katy Yoder, development director of Sisters Folk Festival. Many of her pieces created for MOTH have been the impetus for Weiss to create entire collections. She enjoys the freedom that comes with creating jewelry for retail sale. “The personal connections with people that develop when I am creating custom
12 | Sisters Magazine
work are very rewarding, allowing me to be part of something special, like a wedding or birthday or anniversary,” explained Weiss. The sale of the building that housed her solo Sisters studio, Josepha Weiss Designs, prompted a move to a new Bend location and the opening of the Torch Jewelry Collective. They each have their individual studio space, share some of their equipment for polishing and casting, and display their work in the onsite showroom. Weiss’s jewelry can also be found at The Jewel in Sisters, the Wooden Jewel in Sunriver, and at a gallery in her home state of Wisconsin. The gifted artist received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Northern Illinois University, where she specialized in metals while also focusing on textiles and ceramics, all of which are evident in her jewelry.
by Gregg Morris, for The Bulletin Special Projects / Photo courtesy of Froelick Gallery
Rick Bartow is no stranger to the Sisters Folk Festival. The internationally known Oregon artist has performed at the main event with his band, Rick Bartow and the Backseat Drivers, and has also taught art and music at the Americana Song Academy. “Rick’s one of those amazing human beings that is great at both art and music,” said Sisters Folk Festival Development Director Katy Yoder. “He is a life teeming with creative talent.” It was his connection to the festival along with that creative talent that prompted organizers to invite Bartow to participate in the annual My Own Two Hands community arts celebration and fundraiser. Bartow graciously accepted the offer and donated his dry point print piece titled “Big Eagle” for the Saturday night art auction. Working out of his hometown of Newport, Bartow is known for his interpretations of literary, musical, and visual subjects, including self-portraits and animals. He uses many different mediums to express himself through his art, and also as a way to maintain his career as an artist. “Different mediums invite you to different expressions,” he said. “I especially love drawing. It’s very immediate. And, the more mediums an artist works with, the more avenues are available to make a living.” Bartow is a member of the Wiyot
tribe of Northern California and graduated from Western Oregon University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art Education. The 68-year-old Vietnam veteran is a self-described workaholic with an untrained style. “I love to be expressive and explosive with color and gestural marks,” he explained. “I get ahold of something and go!” Bartow’s pieces can be found in many national landmarks and government buildings. He recently completed a 27-foot sculpture for the National Mall in Washington, D.C., which was commissioned by the The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian. Bartow’s works are currently on display at the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art in Portland, titled “Rick Bartow: Things You Know But Cannot Explain.” “No matter what you’re doing, it is going to show up in your art,” Bartow explained. “As an artist, one way or another the art is going to reveal your life.”
SPOTLIGHT: Student Artist Dakota Wagner
Starting Young by John Cal, for The Bulletin Special Projects She spent her spring break this year touring colleges: Warren Wilson in North Carolina, Quest in British Columbia, Prescott in Arizona, and Evergreen State in Washington. She hopes to major in Environmental Studies, but make no mistake, Sisters is home. It’s her inspiration, her muse, her joie de vivre. And this year’s My Own Two Hands Student Achievement Award recipient, Dakota Wagner, uses that inspiration to create the beautiful music and and visual art for which she is being recognized. “I guess I’ve been doing art since I was 3,” Dakota offered, adding that her dad, Eric Wagner, taught her how to draw at that young age. “He taught me how to draw Minnie Mouse,” she continued with a laugh. “I really enjoy painting and drawing in pencil and graphite. I’ve always taken art classes. I’ve always loved it. I was lucky that it came naturally to me, and it makes me so happy.”
A resident of Sisters for more than 10 years now, Dakota is heavily involved in community goings-on, and was chosen for the achievement award not just for her creative prowess, but also for her community involvement. “Dakota was chosen because she has been a great leader in the program dedicated to the culture and programming of the Americana Project and Sisters Folk Festival,” said Creative Director Brad Tisdel. She’s been continually involved in the Americana Project. She’s served as an intern with the Sisters Folk Festival, and also volunteers her time and effort to various organizations around town. “She’s fully connected to both the visual and performing arts, and continually and willingly demonstrates giving back,” continued Tisdel. This year, she’s coordinating the recording project for the Americana Project CD, and is designing the album artwork
“The theme this year was ‘Imagine,’ so it was really open-ended and I could pull from lots of different inspirations,” said Dakota Wagner, at right. “My piece focused on the the idea of the brain and how it works creating ideas.”
for the cover. One of her multimedia artwork pieces is also being donated to the My Own Two Hands auction, where it will be sold to raise money for the organization. Though Dakota mainly works in pencil and sketchbooks, her creative expression takes many forms.
“I draw. I sing. I play piano, and ukulele, and guitar,” she said. “My art and my music have grown a lot since I’ve been here in Sisters. I’m influenced by the community and all the support I get here. That’s why I wanted to [donate that art piece], to give back.”
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BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Alpenhimmel Creative Arts Emporium
A Slice of Creative Heaven Alpenhimmel is an arts and crafts haven that connects creativity with community. by Lindy Callahan, for The Bulletin Special Projects / photo by Kevin Prieto Blue walls surround the bright, open space as sunlight bursts through the large windows. Colorful art pieces provide cheer and inspiration, while comfortable seating for up to 12 make Alpenhimmel Creative Arts Emporium a cheerful creative arts space for the Central Oregon community. Located on the west end of Main Avenue in Sisters, Alpenhimmel is the unique establishment dreamed up and brought to life by Charity Alva and her husband, John. The Alvas moved to Sisters two years ago, intent on relaxing and enjoying the fresh mountain air in retirement. Relaxing was the main focus, but since arriving their plans have evolved. The Alvas lived in the German Alps for more than 25 years. Charity helped to manage a community space, where people would gather to work on their projects and share knowledge and inspiration, while John worked for the U.S. Department of Defense. “The people in the Alps are truly experts at their trades,” said Charity. “Whether they make shoes or clocks, they have a passion for what they do, and they are happy to share that knowledge with others. I wanted to create a space here with that same kind of Alpine spirit.
Somewhere people could come to work on projects and share ideas.” She had that spirit in mind when naming Alpenhimmel, as the name translates from German to “alpine heaven.” A variety of classes and open studio time for working on personal projects are offered each week at Alpenhimmel. There have been a variety of classes on subjects ranging from calligraphy to watercolor painting. During April, spring will be inspiring several of the classes. There will be art journaling classes, recipe book crafting classes and even beginning watercolor classes. The beginning watercolor classes are new and are especially unique, as they offer people a chance to try their hand at this particular craft and decide whether or not it is for them, without having to make a huge investment in supplies or an entire series of classes at once. Charity said she loves to take recommendations about classes that individuals are interested in, to really tailor the offerings to the community. In fact, the beginning watercolor classes were something several people in the community had been asking for. “When I hear people say they want something, I pay attention to that.”
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Charity Alva, pictured below, is the creative force behind Alpenhimmel’s studio and shop space in Sisters.
Open studio time is also available at Alpenhimmel. Almost every day there is time blocked out where people can come and work on any project they would like. The price is $3 an hour to use the space, and includes access to studio tools such as rubber stamps, scissors and die cutters. There are also some supplies openly available such as glue, scrap paper and ink. All other products can be brought from home or purchased there. Like the studio, the shop side of Alpenhimmel is also full of life, light and color. Everything from canvas, inks, Italian decorative papers and calligraphy supplies are available here. There are even intricately designed coloring books and art magazines for inspiration. The Alpenhimmel shop will look especially festive this spring, with several art pieces on display for the My Own Two Hands art stroll. Charity herself even donated a piece this year to support the local arts community, titled “Sarsaparilla Reverie.” A mixed-media artist, Charity is always on the lookout for new and exciting crafts and products to try out and bring into the shop. “Everyone has a creative side needing an outlet,” said Charity. “We are here to help people connect with that.”
Offering a variety of unique products and a clean and uplifting environment to work in, Alpenhimmel provides Central Oregonians with a new way to get creative. “Anyone can come in and take classes or work on projects here,” said Charity. “This isn’t just a business, but a place for the community to share ideas and connect with their inner creativity.” During the summer, Alpenhimmel will be open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. To register for classes, check the calendar at www.alpenhimmel.com.
FIFTH ANNUAL RIDE FOR TWO RIVERS: Saturday, May 30 • 9 a.m. • Creekside Park
Gear Up & Ride for Two Rivers by Gregg Morris, for The Bulletin Special Projects
If you have ever thought about riding your bike up a scenic highway, without the hassle of automobiles zooming by, now is your chance. Environmentally conscious cyclists from throughout Oregon are gearing up for the Fifth Annual Ride for Two Rivers Saturday, May 30. Beginning at 9 a.m. at Creekside Park in Sisters, the 50-mile route will lead riders up and over McKenzie Pass and back to Sisters. All money raised by the ride benefits the National Forest Foundation’s (NFF) efforts to restore the Metolius River and Whychus Creek. According to Jerry Norquist, formerly of Cycle Oregon, the NFF asked the group to organize the first ride in 2009 as a way to both raise awareness of the value
of these two waterways and to help fund projects pertaining to them. Surrounded by the Deschutes National Forest, the Metolius River and Whychus Creek are both home to steelhead and sockeye salmon and support an abundance of other local wildlife. Proceeds from the Ride for Two Rivers go toward improving the health of the rivers and surrounding wildlife habitat. So far, having raised more than $100,000, the ride has funded trail and riverbank restoration along the Metolius River and has made it possible to reopen the historic Black Butte trail. This year’s proceeds will help complete the new overlook above Whychus Creek. “These are restoration projects the community feels are important,” said cur-
rent ride organizer and Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Judy Trego. “We want to assist the rivers and the communities that surround them. “Healthy rivers make healthy communities,” she added. Each spring, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) keeps state Highway 242 closed to car traffic for a couple of weeks after the snow clears, allowing cyclists to enjoy having the road all to themselves, and thereby presenting a perfect opportunity for the popular benefit ride. This year’s event was moved up a couple of weeks as a proactive response to the possibility of ODOT opening the highway earlier than usual due to low snow pack. Even with the date change, organizers are expecting to match last year’s participation number of 270 riders. The fully supported bicycle tour of one of Oregon’s Scenic Bikeways winds its way
uphill through the pine forests just west of Sisters. The surrounding mountain peaks slowly become more visible as riders reach the 5,325-foot summit. Toward the top, the trees give way to a lava-rock moonscape with the Dee Wright Observatory standing in the middle. The scenic ride continues another 11 miles down to the west snow gate before turning around and climbing back up to the summit. Slow and steady gets riders up both climbs, as the uphill sections are long, but gradual. The thrill of the last downhill section on the return stretch of the ride is matched only by the Three Creeks Brewery beer and snacks awaiting riders back at Creekside Park in Sisters. The cost for the event is $35 for adults and $25 for children younger than 17. The entry fee goes up $10 after May 1. Please visit www.sisterscountry.com to register for the fun, and awe-inspiring, day.
Sisters STAMPEDE by Bridget McGinn, for The Bulletin Special Projects The sixth annual Sisters Stampede mountain bike race is set to start off with a bang this year on Sunday, May 24. The largest cross-country race in the Northwest, the Sisters Stampede is known for the cowboy on horseback (local resident Mike Chapelle) who fires a gun into the air and thunders off in front of the bikes to kick the event off. “It is a unique feature and pretty epic to have a horse lead out,” said Mike Ripley, event director. “It takes a very patient horse to handle all the bikes, the gun, the spectators … that horse is definitely the star of the event. I think there are probably more photos taken with the horse than with the pro riders who are there.” While the event does attract high-level competitors, the fact that it occurs over Memorial Day weekend, is held in Sisters and is a fairly level course without a lot of climbing means that participants of all skill levels and ages are drawn to the race. “There are so many pros, but also lots of beginners,” said Ripley. “My daughter, who is 12, did the race for the first time last year, and there are always about 60 kids who do this event.” The single-track race takes place on the Peterson Ridge Trail, and is sanctioned by the Oregon Bicycle Racing Association. There are two mileage options — 12 and 26 miles — plus 26 different race categories and $1,000 offered in cash prizes and raffle items. There is also a free kids race that takes place following the main events. The festivities associated with the race also attract attendees. The pre-race packet pickup, held the Saturday before the race at Blazin Saddles in Sisters, also doubles as a block party. The start and finish lines of the race are located near Three Creeks Brewery, and the popular brewpub hosts an after-race party, and this year will launch their “Ridge Trail Ale” for the event. Race registration is limited to 500. To register or learn more, visit www.sistersstampede.com.
727 NE Greenwood Ave.
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