2024 Wearable Art and Runway Fashion Show draws large turnout

PALMER — The 18th Annual Wearable Art and Runway Fashion Show drew a large crowd, filling up the Palmer Depot Saturday, Feb. 17.

The Valley Arts Alliance hosts this annual event to give local artists the chance to express their creativity by showcasing handmade outfits. It's also an opportunity for community members to spend an entertaining evening out in town and support their artistically inclined family, friends, and neighbors.

VAA Executive Director Carmen Summerfield said that she was happy with how everything went this year.

"It was fabulous. I was very pleased," Summerfield said

During the Wearable Art Show, artists utilize their knowledge of color, fabric and non-traditional materials to create one-of-a-kind garments.

Some artists model their own creations while others have someone else show them off during the event. Entries are viewed by audience members as models walk down a fashion runway accompanied by narration and music.

Summerfield said that she always enjoys seeing the wide variety of unique fashion creations.

"It's amazing what people come up with," Summerfield said.

The theme for this year's event was "Fly-Away." Summerfield noted that they announce next year's theme during the event to give people time to plan accordingly.

Next year's suggested theme "Over the Top," which is open to interpretation and limited only to each participants' creative inspiration.

Registration for next year's Wearable Art Show opens Jan. 1, 2025. VAA accepts the first 24 entries which can be filled out online.

Summerfield said this year's event was a great opportunity to promote other nonprofits such as the Mat-Su Arctic Winter Games Host Society. VAA members created chickadee costumes that will be used by a local dance group during the 2024 Arctic Winter Games. VAA members and local children modeled the chickadee costumes during the Wearable Art Show to give the community a preview of what to expect during the Games.

"That was really cool. It's bringing it all together. It's people helping each other out," Summerfield said." Arts and sports they all go together. We find a common connection. We're all in this together."

Summerfield said the Wearable Art Show is one of their largest events and all ages and backgrounds are welcome to participate.

The VAA's tagline is: "bringing the community together through the arts" and that's the mission for each event and activity they put on.

"We did that again this year and it was awesome," Summerfield said.

Those interested in viewing archived photos of past Wearable Art Show events can do so by visiting the Valley Arts Alliance website.

"We really like that that's available," Summerfield said.

The Valley Arts Alliance is a local nonprofit that puts on a variety of events and activities that promotes creativity and self-expression.

The VAA Meets every Thursday at Sophia's Cafe at 11 a.m. They also hold an Art Meets Recycling meeting every Saturday at Valley Community Recycling Solutions at 1 p.m.

For more information, visit valleyartsalliance.com.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann Frontiersman.com