John Goodman showcases some of his work at the Spring Art Show and Sale May 4-5 at Redmond High.

Hundreds of Central Oregonians spent the rainy Cinco de Mayo weekend at Redmond High School for the Dry Canyon Arts Association’s spring art show and sale.

More than 50 local artists hocked their wares in a variety of styles from oil paintings to blown glass, and from woodworking to fabric arts and more. The sale was held at Redmond High from May 4-5, out of the steady rain and wind outdoors.

The DCAA worked closely with four high schools during the preparations for the show. More than 40 students from around the Central Oregon participated in the event. Donations from a raffle during the show will help fund future art programs in Redmond schools.

“What we’re hoping for is just to (show) the Redmond community that there’s local artists here that are very creative and supportive,” said Mel Archer, director of the DCAA. “By having shows like this, the local people can come out and see all the work.”

Archer said that the DCAA formerly hosted the fall and spring shows at the High Desert Music Hall, but the art community and the number of customers became too big and they outgrew the venue. Archer was nervous about getting folks to move to larger Redmond High, but they’ve been pleased by the turnout.

“This is actually our second show at Redmond High School,” said Archer. “It’s great, we have much more room and many more people. In the fall show, we had close to 1,500 visitors. Our previous high at the music hall was 570.”

Archer has been making art since he was in the third grade. That early start is one reason why he is dedicated to helping local art and artists, especially students. Archer creates his works out of fused glass, which is the process of combining multiple glass sheets under extreme heat.

“I’m all about the creativity behind the art, not so much the art itself,” Archer said. “When I go out to my studio and start working, time flies.”

Members of the DCAA said they were happy to have the chance to show off their latest pieces and to sell some of them — something that doesn’t come easy for every artist.

“It’s very personal to me, I get very involved with my pieces, so when I sell them It’s really hard, they become a part of me,” said Connie Soballe, a water painter and wood burning artist. “You always get positive feedback and that actually feeds into your art because people say they like what you do, then you’re inspired to go home and do more.”

John Goodman, an impressionist landscape oil painter and retired arts teacher, said it’s been wonderful to see the growth of the DCAA and art scene in Redmond over the last few years.

“I enjoyed meeting other artists and learning about their art and their techniques, as well as meeting people in the community that are interested in collecting,” said Goodman.