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Art finds its legs to strut the catwalk

wearable pieces promise to ‘fascinate and wow’ audience
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Tania Moeykens (left) models 'Protection Destruction,' and Jennifer Cook models 'Urban Sherpa' for Art Attire.

Artists and designers are getting a chance to pull art off the walls and onto the runway for Art Attire, a celebration of wearable art at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria.

The second annual fundraising event sponsored by the Associates of the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria is sure to impress even the most discerning fashionistas.

“The artists are blending different mediums into a new type of art,” says Jennifer Olson, Art Attire committee chair. “It’s art that is suitable for galleries, but seeing it on the runway adds another level completely.”

Imagine art created from a wide variety of materials, built to suit the human form and brought to life with models, hair and make-up on the catwalk, all inside the Founders Gallery at the AGGV.

“These types of pieces don’t have a venue to showcase them in appropriately,” says Olson.

“This is art, but it really comes alive when it is worn,” she says. “It’s amazing what the movement, music and lighting can add.”

Nineteen artists from across B.C. have submitted 35 garments for the juried runway show. Four awards will be presented including Best in Show, Best Student Submission, Best Jewellery and People’s Choice. World renowned fabric artist Carole Sabiston, three-dimensional artist Dale Roberts (also known as Dame Mailarta) and AGGV art rental and sales consultant Mica Marsh will be judging the show. The audience will have a chance to cast a ballot for the People’s Choice.

Artists are primarily from Victoria and surrounding areas, including Sechelt, Vancouver and Comox. There are five submissions from local students.

Eight local artists were given raw silk scarves to create an art piece for sale in the silent auction. “We gave them the scarves with the intent that they would paint them, but we didn’t give them any parameters. They have been incorporated into sculpture, applied to the surface of paint, it’s amazing to see how creativity can take a scarf and turn it into an art piece,” says Olson.

Artists who created scarves for the silent auction include Robert Amos, Nancy Slaght, Butch Dick, Judy McLaren, Catherine Moffat, Carole Sabiston, April Caverhill and Dale Roberts.

Five artists will be displaying wearable jewelry art during the reception, which will also feature cocktails, wine, desserts and live jazz throughout the gallery mansion and lobby.

“This is an opportunity to wear something out to an event that people may otherwise feel would make them stand out more than they would like. This is a chance for the audience to get glammed up as well,” Olson says.

People will also be able to mix and mingle with the artists and models after the show and see the pieces up close.

“The level of creativity being showcased, the exquisite details and the level of workmanship is really extraordinary,” Olson says. “The audience will see things that will fascinate and wow them.”

The Associates is the largest contributor to the AGGV. All funds raised at Art Attire will go to fund programming and exhibitions at the gallery.

“There is a very limited quantity of tickets and the event is selling out quickly,” says Olson. M

 

Visit aggv.ca/events/art-attire for more information.

 

Art Attire

Saturday, June 11, 7:30pm

Art Gallery of Greater Victoria (1040 Moss)

Tickets $50 or $65 (front row) In person or call

250-384-4171