Wearable Arts Sign-Up Gets Down to the Wire

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Created on Tuesday, 10 December 2024 15:35

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By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
    With the sign-up deadline Friday, the Sitka Wearable Art Extravaganza is about 10 entries short of the ideal number for another spectacular show that combines fashion and art.
    But Greater Sitka Arts Council board member Bobbi Jordan, the show liaison, says she knows experienced designers who have talent are out there, ready to meet the challenge of creating a garment using traditional and nontraditional materials. This year’s theme is “Forest to the Sea.”

Models and designers take the stage at Harrigan Centennial Hall during the finale of the 2024 Wearable Arts Show. Deadline for entering a design concept for the 2025 show is Friday. (Sentinel File Photo)

    While sign-ups have been a little slower this year, Jordan pointed out there are still three days left – and a month and a half before the entries need to be completed. The show is at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, February 8, at Harrigan Centennial Hall.
    Last year’s theme, “Sky’s the Limit,” drew about 25 entries and collections.
    Jordan has been involved in the show as a GSAC board member for about eight years, and is used to Sitkans’ hesitancy in taking the plunge and creating a garment.
    “Last year we had 20 sign up in the last week; we could do that again,” Jordan said. “That would be lovely.”  
    The show attracts designers and other visual artists, most of them from Sitka but occasionally entries show up from towns with other wearable shows, including Ketchikan and Juneau, and Whitehorse, Y.T.
    Those who haven’t created something for the show in the past should know that it’s a serious commitment involving hours of work in design, and often skills other than sewing.
    Models who made their way down the runway in the past wore garments made out of all manner of materials – plastics of all sorts, rubber, ceramic tiles, fishing lures, fishing line, grocery bags, rubber gloves, straws, coffee filters, and countless others, even traditional fabrics.
    Some of the participants are skilled fabric artists; others have never sewn before.
    “The show is to show off their creativity,” Jordan said. “We have veteran designers that have already registered and we have some new designers this year as well.”
    Some enter every year, and it’s a collective effort for a few families, couples and groups of friends.
    Caryn Kraft has participated in all but two of the shows in Sitka, with entries that have incorporated not just her sewing prowess and creative vision.
    “I did a lot of recycled materials in the beginning,” Kraft said.
    Soda can tabs, rubber fishing gloves, grocery bags and other such have made their way into her works. Last year, she and her daughter, Kaylee Ayers, did a collection featuring a hoop dress made of teacups, and a strolling table made of wood and tablecloth.
    Kraft is working on her own this year, but has ready and willing models: son Ben Kraft, his wife Kristi, and daughter-in-law Emma Klein. She has been working on this collection – and other entries – for most of the year, and always keeps her ideas under wraps until the show.
    Another model for the Kraft entries is local baker Andrew Jylkka, who graced the runway last year wearing primary color beach balls.
    Jordan said organizers are at the ready to help contestants, including logistical support, or advice on how to choreograph the walk up and down the runway for two minutes.    Some need help picking music, others need help with materials.     One of the more unusual requests last year was advice on where to find a parachute (which was subsequently found at the White Elephant shop). In recent weeks, people offered up chef’s coats, iPhone covers and disposable spoons for designers to use in the show.
    Jordan is the photographer for the event, and can recall some of her favorites. “I like the elements of surprise in them,” she said, noting that some entries have a single look at the outset, and a “reveal” part way through the two minute runway walk.
    But she added they all have an element of surprise in some way.
    “We don’t know what we’ve got until dress rehearsal,” Jordan said.
    Registration for the event is at sitkaartscouncil.org and those with questions may call organizer Tiffany Pearson at tmpearson4@gmail.com or call 907-738-8161.
    Jordan can answer questions at thinkartthinksitka@gmail.com or at 907-738-0166.