My Own Two Hands began in 2001 as a fundraiser for the Sisters Americana Project, the educational outreach component of the Sisters Folk Festival. The project began with 'Painted Strings'. Utilizing donated, unplayable guitars area artists embellished each of the instruments in their individual style. Painted Strings was followed in 2002 with Kite Strings a community Kite Fly and Kite Themed Auction and Party.

For the past five years, My Own Two Hands has celebrated how one indivdual can change their community for the better by using their own skills in a positive way. The two-day event is a community celebration of the arts; from performing to visual to the written word. My Own Two Hands has it all.

In 2008 we have chosen "Reflection" as the My Own Two Hands theme. A theme is used for all of the participating artists to base their donated art work from.

View the 2008 'Reflections' art that we have received for the Auction and learn where you will be able to see it on Art Stroll Day.

After a city-wide show of visual and performing arts at our Art Stroll & Chili Feed on Friday, April 11, 2008, the donated works will be auctioned off the next evening for the benefit of the Sisters Americana Project and arts education in the Sisters public schools and community. Our Saturday night Auction Party held at Ponderosa Forge and Ironworks, brings together the art, the artists and the community in a fun evening of celebration featuring both silent and live auctions. If you can't make it to the party, but want to bid on an art piece; download a proxy bid sheet and get it to us by April 7th.

The Sisters Americana Project, a cross-curricular program in the Sisters Schools, is about exploring Americana folk music and arts and using them to illuminate the history, life and culture that we are all share. The project provides teaching staff, guest artist workshop sessions, instruments, recording and live performance opportunities for the students. The Sisters Folk Festival's My Own Two Hands event is the primary funding source for this tremendously successful program.

Learning to play the guitar, writing original songs, recording, producting events and hands-on experience in traditional American folk arts and crafts are the facets of the educational curriculum that gives students a voice for social change and vehicles for self-expression. My Own Two Hands is an invitation to all community members, artists and collectors alike and people of all ages to support and expand the Sisters Americana Project and to build a better community through the arts.