By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
The date has been set, some artists are almost ready, but a few pieces still need to be put, sewn or glued into place for the 2023 Wearable Art Show.
“We need designers,” said Bobbi Jordan, a board member of the Greater Sitka Arts Council, which sponsors the event. “We’ve heard of people that started designs during COVID when we were going to have a show ... You can dust off a design that you’ve started, or show a design that has never been seen, or create something new.”
The theme is “Awakening,” in celebration of the return of the popular event, scheduled 2 and 7 p.m. Feb. 4 at Harrigan Centennial Hall.
At least 20 artists are needed for the show to take place, Jordan said, and most designs take considerable time, so GSAC members are trying to get the word out with plenty of notice for artists and designers to get to work.
The Wearable Art Show was a mainstay of the arts organization’s calendar, with dozens of artists showcasing their work at an annual runway event, held for over a decade.
In 2019, the last year the all-ages, family-friendly show was held, the theme was “On the Edge,” but it hasn’t taken place since then for various reasons, including COVID.
Designers of all abilities create wearable art – usually a garment, but sometimes headwear, footwear and accessories – that’s showcased by models in a runway show at Harrigan Centennial Hall.
It’s always a high energy show that concludes with all artists and models on stage, to the cheers by an often sold-out audience. Many of the designers use nontraditional and recycled material in their creations.
The theme “Awakening” was picked in honor of the show’s coming back, and the community’s coming back, after COVID, with more people starting to attend more events and participating more, Jordan said.
“We tossed around a lot of ideas,” Jordan said. “And Awakening is the one that stuck. It’s like a post covid message, and things getting back to normal.”
Jordan has reached out to some past artists so they can start brainstorming ideas for Wearable Art, but she knows many newcomers to town also may be interested in participating.
“It’s a fun family project,” said John Stein, a board member since 2005.
Also needed are more sponsors, Jordan said. Alaska Airlines is the main sponsor and the February runway show includes a drawing for plane tickets.
“The crucial thing is getting designers,” she said.
Stein is an enthusiast of the Wearable Art Show as an audience member and volunteer. He suggested a few ideas that could build momentum for participating, including getting co-workers together to create a unified collection. Among the groups to do that in the past were from Alaska Airlines, and another group who modeled a number of steam-punk-inspired garments as a collection.
GSAC has hired Tiffany Pearson, an event planner, as the producer of the event, to help the all-volunteer board. The council currently has no executive director, so everyone pitches in to make things happen.
Jordan said the board is optimistic about the prospects to get the arts council back on track after a few rough years. More board members are needed, so those wishing to sign up to serve may call Rain Van Den Berg, the board secretary, at 907-269-1828.
A number of GSAC events are planned before the wearable arts show.
The Fall Art Walk takes place 4 to 6 p.m. Monday. It’s being coordinated with the Chamber of Commerce and Visit Sitka, in conjunction with the Alaska Travel Industry Association annual members-only convention being held here next week.
Participating businesses include Harry Race Pharmacy, Old Harbor Books, Sitka Lighthouse Co. Store, Island Artists Gallery, Artist Cove Gallery, Fate Accompli Gallery, Galanin + Klein, Visit Sitka and The Raven’s Hook.
Participants can go to the artwalk virtually at: sitkaartscouncil.org/fallartwalk2022.
GSAC is the umbrella organization for the Monthly Grind and Sitka Community Theater, which are getting their seasons launched as well.
The first Grind of the season will be the Beatles Grind, 7 p.m. Saturday at the Sheet’ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi. Tickets are $5 at the door. Desserts are encouraged, with prizes awarded for best desserts. Coffee is provided.
SCT is holding auditions Sunday for Radio Adventure Hour. Signups are on the GSAC Sitka Community Theater Facebook page or from Instagram.
