Six years ago Frank and Kathy Deggendorfer wanted to honor their tenant/artists with a holiday open house at their Sisters Art Works Building.  The artist/tenants could open their studio spaces and invite friends to view, and hopefully purchase, their work.

Fast forward to the Sixth Annual Sisters Art Works Open House and Crafts Fair, a one- day extravaganza of holiday fun.  On Saturday, December 3, the Sisters Art Works  (locally referred to as SAW) invites the community to celebrate the season.   In addition to the resident artists at SAW, there will be offerings from many well-known local artists and crafts people.

The Deggendorfers, always with a mind to benefit others in need, have piggybacked two fundraising events with the annual sale.  Beautiful festive serving platters, hand painted and fired by local artists, will be for sale to bolster the Sisters Food Bank.  Furry Friends, a group making sure local animals don’t go hungry, will be on hand to photograph your ‘furry friend’ with Santa from 11-2pm.  All proceeds go to help feed animals in need.

This is not your ordinary craft fair… this is a holiday experience!   Even before you begin your shopping indoors, the aroma of fresh donuts in the making will greet you.  Your friends may be gathered around the fire pit sipping lattes prepared by an onsite barista.  Christmas music playing in the background and the scent of fresh wreathes and greens will fill your senses… all for sale, of course.  
Once inside the main lobby, the delightful serving platters will be your first venue.  A feast for the eyes will cover the lobby walls! Downstairs, you’ll have the wares of a dozen talented artisans with unique, one-of-a kind-gifts to choose from… bring your shopping bags!  Upstairs - don’t miss upstairs!  There you will find more handcrafted, stunning, “gotta have it” stocking stuffers, hostess gifts, home decorations and… maybe a little something for yourself.

Take a break and refuel at the fire pit, swooning over those donuts (betcha’ can’t eat just…six… they’re small).  Compare notes with your friends about your finds inside. You don’t want to miss the finely crafted wood items, the pottery, fine art, cards, fused glass, fabric art extraordinaire, “green” gifts crafted entirely of recycled materials, vintage beads, jewelry that makes the wearer feel gift wrapped, bath oils and artisan soaps.  Culinary oils and vinegars and chutney, photography on canvas…and more for you to discover.
Pick up a sack of those warm donuts to take home, if you can fit them into your overflowing shopping bags.  

How to get there….204 W. Adams Street (corner of Ash and Adams), Sisters, 10am–5pm, Saturday, December 3.

Furry Friends was started 18years ago by Kiki Dolson of The Nugget Newspaper in Sisters.  Supported completely by donations, they work in conjunction with the Sisters Kiwanis Foodshare program and the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire district’s toy drive each Christmas to provide pet food to animals belonging to families who are part of the Foodshare program.  Last year they fed 476 animals, including a couple of birds and a rabbit.