It\u2019s Wearable Art season in Southeast Alaska, when wearable artists all over the region prepare to debut their extraordinary creations on stage after having disappeared for weeks or months into their basements and kitchens to glue, hammer and stitch together raw materials never intended to grace the human body — bullet casings, or paint samples, or plastic miniblinds, to name just three recent choices.<\/p>\n
Since the mid-1980s, Southeast has been a hub for this unusual artform, made internationally famous by an annual show held in New Zealand, The World of Wearable Art. New Zealand\u2019s show, which Southeast artists have participated in more than once, is often described as the original show, first held in 1987.<\/p>\n
However, Ketchikan\u2019s first runway show was held in 1986.<\/p>\n
According to an article by Sharon Lint, published in 2005 in Ketchikan\u2019s \u201cStories in the News,\u201d the details of the first show are spotty, but it is generally agreed that it was held for the first time at the Mainstreet Gallery, and featured only a half dozen artists and models. Even back then, however, it was a standing room only event.<\/p>\n
It has since grown to be one of the most popular art events of the year, and spawned spinoffs in Juneau, Sitka and Petersburg, among other communities. The Ketchikan Arts Council, who hosts the event, calls it \u201ca spectacle that defies description.\u201d<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s show, scheduled for Feb. 4-6 at the Ted Ferry Civic Center, marks 30 years of Wearable Art in Ketchikan. The theme is Alchemy. As of press time, Friday and Saturday\u2019s evening performances were sold out, but there were still tickets for Thursday evening\u2019s Gala, which begins at 8 pm, with doors opening at 7 pm. There is also a Saturday matinee at 2 pm, with doors at 1:30 pm.<\/p>\n
Find out more about Ketchikan\u2019s show at http:\/\/ketchikanarts.org\/<\/p>\n
JUNEAU<\/p>\n
Juneau Wearable Art Extravaganza began in 2001. This year it is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 13 and 14, at Centennial Hall, and the theme is \u201cReflections.\u201d Saturday\u2019s 8 pm show was sold out as of press time but there were still a few tickets for Sunday\u2019s show, which starts at 3:30 pm with doors at 2:30 pm. Proceeds from Saturday\u2019s event support the Juneau Arts and Culture Center improvements, and from Sunday\u2019s show, the Fine Arts Scholarship program.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s event is directed by Flordelino Lagundino, who was also the director for the 2012 event. In an interview at that time, Lagundino said he draws on his work in the theater in directing the event, which he views as a collection of very short acts.<\/p>\n
\u201cEach individual piece for me is its own individual show within the bigger show,\u201d he said in 2012. \u201cI\u2019m hoping that each piece finds its own connection to the audience.\u201d<\/p>\n
Find out more about Juneau\u2019s show at http:\/\/www.jahc.org\/<\/p>\n
SITKA<\/p>\n
Sitka\u2019s eighth annual show will be held Saturday March 26, with a theme of \u201cAlaska and 8 Stars.\u201d Hosted by the Greater Sitka Arts Council, and officially called the 2016 Alaska Airlines Wearable Art Runway Show, it will be held at the Performing Arts Center as part of Sitka\u2019s annual Arti-Gras Arts and Music Festival, held every March. A matinee and evening wearable art show will be presented. A mandatory dress rehearsal is scheduled for Friday March 25. Registration forms are available online at http:\/\/www.thinkartthinksitka.com and the deadline for registering is Feb. 29. Tickets go on sale two weeks in advance at Old Harbor Books.<\/p>\n
For more, contact Jeff at 747-4821 or email jbudd3500@yahoo.com.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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