Art auction is Sisters' party of the year

What started out as a creative fund-raiser has become one of Central Oregon’s premier arts events — and Sisters’ “Party of the Year.”

The My Own Two Hands Art Party and Auction, always set in April, is the major fund-raiser for the Americana Project, the educational outreach program of the Sisters Folk Festival.

The Americana Project brings students in all three Sisters schools an appreciation of the deep roots of American music, teaching songwriting, recording, a variety of instruments — and also the social and cultural history that the music informs and reflects. The innovative program has become a model for other schools across the state.

My Own Two Hands is just as innovative. Event founder Kathy Deggendorfer conceived of a fund-raiser that would connect visual artists with musicians and educators in Sisters. Artists took old, battered guitars and turned them into works of art as varied and unique as the artists themselves. The artists ranged from professional, full-time artists to hobbyists and students — all creating astonishing works of creativity.

The items were auctioned at a party and the concept of My Own Two Hands was born.

The overall theme is taken from a Ben Harper song and reflects the capacity for each of us to change the world with our own two hands. Each year an artistic theme is developed for the artworks to focus upon. The 2007 theme was “Gather ’Round” and the artworks reflected the notion of community.

The My Own Two Hands event has two major components — a Friday evening art stroll in which visitors can tour shops and galleries around Sisters and see works of art, enjoy food and wine and take in live music.

That evening culminates with a big chili feed and party at Bronco Billy’s Ranch Grill and Saloon and music from Americana Project students and a top-flight live band.

That’s followed with a big art party and auction on Saturday night. The auction draws art collectors from around the state to bid on works by Central Oregon’s finest artists.

Great food, hot live music and a convivial atmosphere have gained the event the widespread reputation as “the party of the year” in Sisters and tickets are a hot item everywhere in Oregon.

The bidding is hot, too, with thousands being raised to support the Americana Project and other arts programs in Sisters schools.

For more information contact the festival at 541-549-4979 or visit www.sistersfolkfestival.org.