(Graphic | Courtesy of Sisters Folk Festival)
Sisters Folk Festival (SFF) is hosting its largest annual fundraiser and community arts celebration, My Own Two Hands, “Holding Hope,” this week. The organization is celebrating the 20th year of the event, which honors community building, visual arts and the creative spirit. What started in 2002 as Painted Strings has been My Own Two Hands since 2004. It is a call to action to contribute to a better, more inclusive community that celebrates creative expression.
This year’s donations feature 84 fantastic pieces of art, from sculpture to painting, jewelry, mixed-media, musical instruments, furniture, fabric arts and much more by regional artists. Proceeds from the art auction and fundraiser support SFF’s mission of strengthening community and transforming lives through music and art. Typically, the event would feature in-person components including a gallery stroll, community concert and lively art auction and party, but for the second year in a row, the pandemic has forced the fundraiser to take place virtually using the benefit of technology. Participants can bid on art from their computer, tablet or mobile phone from anywhere in the world.
The public is invited to visit the Cindy and Duncan Campbell Gallery and SFF’s Jam Studio, both located at the Sisters Art Works building, 204 W. Adams Ave. in Sisters to preview all of the works of art that have been donated by generous artists. The gallery is open Monday through Friday from 10am-4pm, with private art viewings available outside of those hours upon request. Please contact info@sistersfolkfestival.org or call 541-549-4979 to make an appointment. High-quality photos of the artwork are featured on SFF’s website for virtual viewing at sistersfolkfestival.org.
Auction bidding opened on Monday, May 10 and wraps up at 6pm on Saturday, May 15. In addition to the auction, the online fundraiser also offers opportunities to support SFF’s arts education outreach by purchasing a raffle ticket or making a paddle raise donation to the organization. Only 400 raffle tickets will be sold, with a grand prize of $5,000 in auction credit and second prize of two nights’ lodging at the beautiful Sisters Bed & Breakfast and admission for two to Sisters Folk Festival’s summer concerts on June 25 and 26.
As part of this year’s virtual format, Sisters Folk Festival will air a My Own Two Hands “Holding Hope” livestream on Friday, May 14 at 6pm. The 60-minute program will showcase some of the history of the Americana Project, feature interviews with community members and talk about their contributions and offer alumni perspectives on creativity and the creative process. The raffle winners will be drawn at the end of the livestream.