It’s 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.
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’s show, which Southeast artists have participated in more than once, is often described as the original show, first held in 1987.
However, Ketchikan’s first runway show was held in 1986.
According to an article by Sharon Lint, published in 2005 in Ketchikan’s “Stories in the News,” 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.
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 “a spectacle that defies description.”
This year’s 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’s evening performances were sold out, but there were still tickets for Thursday evening’s 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.
Find out more about Ketchikan’s show at http://ketchikanarts.org/
JUNEAU
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 “Reflections.” Saturday’s 8 pm show was sold out as of press time but there were still a few tickets for Sunday’s show, which starts at 3:30 pm with doors at 2:30 pm. Proceeds from Saturday’s event support the Juneau Arts and Culture Center improvements, and from Sunday’s show, the Fine Arts Scholarship program.
This year’s 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.
“Each individual piece for me is its own individual show within the bigger show,” he said in 2012. “I’m hoping that each piece finds its own connection to the audience.”
Find out more about Juneau’s show at http://www.jahc.org/
SITKA
Sitka’s eighth annual show will be held Saturday March 26, with a theme of “Alaska and 8 Stars.” 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’s 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.
For more, contact Jeff at 747-4821 or email jbudd3500@yahoo.com.
