Residents of Sisters, Oregon animate and accompany the dragon puppet on a symbolic quest for water, a precious resource in the Central Oregon high desert. The semi-arid region strains under rapid population growth and resort development. Mounting water usage and climate change — as evidenced by warmer winters with drastically limited snowfall in the mountains, paired with issues of non-biodegradable waste and water privatization — are all reflected in the plastic water bottles which adorn the dragon. The performance took place on the Feast of St. Michael, a date rich in reference to natural cycles and human-dragon relations.
The project was a communal effort. Local quilters and artists Cathryn Bowen, Carolyn Platt and Toni Phillips assisted in sewing the puppet body. Local hydrologist, fisherman and environmentalist Tom Davis gave a presentation on the region's water issues to the participating children. And local storyteller Susan Strauss told an Anasazi tale of a serpent and a well. Many thanks for all their help.
Thanks also to Evelyn Brush of A Joyful Noise Preschool, and to the children, parents and friends who collected bottles and made the dragon come alive: Kit, Sharlene, Jeremiah, Marie, Rachel, Jeannine, Paul, Parker, John, Jim, Loryn, Janelle, Julia, Logan, Dyut, Kade, Devon, Alexandra, Gus, Nicole, Adriana, Isaac, Austin, Anders, and Brandon.