THE GREEN SHOW – Recycle, Repurpose, Reuse

Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo Gallery, Epic Center – September 2011
The Epic Center Green Exhibit included a FASHION SHOW and ARTIST'S MARKET. The theme
of this event was recycle, repurpose, reuse. Artists were asked to create new work(s) based on bits and pieces
of existing materials and to work in an environmentally friendly manner – materials, techniques, themes.

As Curator of this Event, I invited five area designers to each create two garments for the FASHION SHOW.
The evening of the Art Hop these garments were worn by models who interacted with the public –
a kind of “live manikin” approach. There was also a market area set up for designers to sell related work,
and at seven o'clock, there was a performance event in the WellSpring Theater which included a dance/music
presentation and a FASHION SHOW. Live music was created for the event by FINETUNING. – Maryellen Hains

Show Statement.

Jabeth Wheeler, Dress
This dress features several repurposed black Glad Force-Flex trash bags tediously fashioned into this stunning evening gown. This dress, trimmed out with left over red lining fabric is complete with a bodice foundation including boning and stiff interfacing, a 22” invisible zipper and a bottom ruffle alone that is 10 yards long. Lydia's dress used the ties from the trash bags to form the lacing on the side corset. Finishing the dress off is the skirt portion only of a gown from Goodwill. These trash bags are now terrific! Model, Lydia Midgett Accessory jewelry by Bobbie Peters