The Power of Creativity: 20th Wearable Art & Runway Fashion Show
Contributed by Randi Perlman
If you were fortunate enough to be in the packed audience (either matinee or evening-both sold out!) at the Palmer Depot for last month’s 20th Annual Valley Arts Alliance (VAA) Wearable Art & Runway Fashion Show, you are indeed lucky! This event is maturing as gracefully as a fine wine and seems to get better every year. This year’s show was a smashing success and did NOT disappoint. It takes a large team of producers, artists, models, volunteers, family, and friends to coordinate and pull off such a remarkable feat, but they all love what they do, and it shines through. The Wearable Art show clearly highlights the amazingly deep talent pool we have right here in the Valley, and the creativity on display makes for an exciting time with surprises along the way.
The theme for this year’s show was THE ROARING TWENTIES in honor of the event’s 20th anniversary. While the theme was loosely followed, many artists/creators chose ensembles that evoked specific songs, times, and feelings of that era. Quite a few of the models walking the runway were of the younger generation, which was fun and unpredictable, adding that element of surprise. Many of the models were children when they first started appearing in the show, and if you’ve been to many, or most of the Wearable Art shows over the past 20 years (like me), it’s been a blast watching them gain confidence in themselves, grow into their roles, and perfect them.
As President and founder of VAA, Carmen Summerfield penned their tagline of ‘Bringing the Community Together Through the Arts’ and has truly lived that sentiment for 20 years now! The many events and activities she has coordinated throughout the Mat-Su over the years include, the Iron Pour Art Fest, the Alaska Home Companion, Ice Sculptures on the Green, and Music & Art at the Government Peak Recreation Area (GPRA) Chalet. These events have attracted large gatherings of fans who mark their calendars a year in advance of what’s coming next. She and her team have brought art, in all its different forms, to folks of all ages and to many different places, all the while partnering with other local nonprofits, individuals and businesses. One of her long-standing partnerships is with MAKE A SCENE MEDIA, home of The People’s Paper, Make a Scene Magazine, and 95.5 The Pass radio station. They have helped each other learn and grow over the years as MAKE A SCENE MEDIA moves into and prepares to celebrate their 20th year in business.
Many thanks to everyone involved with the 20th VAA Wearable Art Show for an incredible job: artists, models, musicians, volunteers, attendees, and anyone else I may have missed! Your efforts did not go unnoticed and are sincerely appreciated by those fortunate enough to be there. Eric Summerfield’s presence was felt throughout the show, honoring his memory in a palpable way. It takes a village to create community, and VAA has had an impactful role in helping to shape our wonderful community. The theme for the 21st Annual Wearable Art Show on Saturday, February 20, 2027, is HOT STUFF – you might want to start shopping now for your very own personal fan to keep you cool next February…
Visit the VAA archives page at www.valleyartsalliance.com to view the creations from this year’s event and all preceding years. Maybe you’ll be inspired to enter your own creation next time. Join VAA at their very informal weekly meeting at Sophia’s Café new location at 10697 E. Palmer Wasilla Highway, every Thursday from 11am to 1pm and help us bring the community together through the arts!