The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

This month, Sisters Arts Association (SAA) welcomes Canyon Creek Pottery to Fourth Friday Artwalk. The event features some of Sisters' finest traditional artists plus a few new talents.

Canyon Creek Pottery (310 N. Cedar St.) is home to an array of handmade pottery, all produced by potter Ken Merrill in the studio situated behind his gallery. The gallery's selection incudes lamps, mugs, dinnerware, and wall art, and custom creations are available. It's a few steps beyond the downtown core, but well worth the walk.

The Rickards Gallery features father-and-son oil painters Jerry and Dennis Dame. Jerry's landscapes draw the viewer into serene experiences of fly-fishing on the Metolius River or hiking up Whychus Creek. He captures scenery that is both imaginative and familiar. With an art background that spans dozens of mediums and industries, Dennis finds creativity in each new painting. Shapes, values, and colors are arranged to convey something that cannot be said with words. They will be at the "Meet the Makers" dinner on August 24. Tickets are still available. On Friday, both artists will be at the gallery from 4 to 7 p.m. with live music beginning at 6.

Toriizaka Art's Nguyen Thanh Binh likens his preference for simplicity in composition and design in his artwork to his own way of life. His paintings often express his sorrow and the sorrow of many in his generation. Although most well-known for his paintings of women in Ao Dai, he is also passionate about music, dance, architecture, and flowers, and is most interested in following his passions at this point in his career. The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., with refreshments from 4 to 7.

Sisters Gallery & Frame's featured artists are the prolific acrylic painter Brad Earl, and Jennifer Hartwig, aka The Scratchboard Lady. When Earl moved to Sisters, he went from being a full-time architect with a painting hobby, to an artist with an architectural hobby. His art is architectural and nostalgic: old buildings, classic cars, traditional tractors, vintage campers, and antique typewriters. Scratchboard allows Hartwig to etch light from dark with fine precision and subtle shades. She is one of only a few scratchboard artists to add full color. Visit the gallery between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., with refreshments starting at 4.

Hood Avenue Art features work by JoAnn Burgess, Susie Zeitner, and Art Blumenkron. Burgess has been creating pastel landscapes and abstracts for more than 15 years. Blumenkron enhances the characteristics of the wood slab he's working on, often inspired by his morning walks in the forest. Zeitner fabricates glass-and-steel totems and two-dimensional glass wall art that is painted then fused in kiln, and mounted on rusted metal.

Stitchin' Post's exhibit is "The Gift of Water" by June Jaeger of Sisters. Concerned about the natural resources that surround her, Jaeger immerses herself in water, nature, and the outdoors. Working with fabric and paints, she tunes out the world and becomes absorbed in creating her vision of nature. The opening reception will be from 4 to 6 p.m.

Raven Makes Gallery is one of the few galleries nationwide to work directly with artists to share special jewelry. The Puebloan Hopi Tribe of Northern Arizona is known for their silver overlay jewelry. Designs may be highly symbolic or realistic. Pictorial pieces are often based on ancient sources such as potsherds, petroglyphs, or spiritual beings, and often reflect symbols depicting prayers for moisture and rain.

Karla Diaz Cano is the featured artist at the Campbell Gallery. She uses different media to explore and deepen her creativity and inspire others to open their hearts to the creative magic within and around us. For her, this creativity is a deeply healing, spiritual experience.

Photo provided

"Fireside Motel" by Dennis Dame at Rickards Gallery.

Wildflower Studio welcomes new work from stained glass artist Mitch Saba. He uses color and composition to depict landscape and traditional design. Edie Shelton also works in glass, but uses a fused glass process. Her newest work features landscape and flowers in clear glass. Wildflower's wine, snacks, and art will be served from 4 to 7 p.m.

The work of abstract landscape artist Lindsey Luna Tucker is featured at Space in Common. Each painting is a compilation of sketches, photos, sentiments, and memories that seeks emotional truth over visual representation. The paintings are less about the subject itself and more about the act of searching for answers but never fully resolving the question.

Be sure to sign up for Quick Draw, as SAA will award two $50 gift certificates, good at any participating gallery. Register once per gallery visit to increase your chances. The SAA thanks Coldwell Banker Bain of Sisters for their generous donation that makes this possible.