PERU – Local artists were presented with a challenge: create wearable works of art in their areas of expertise using everyday materials people ordinarily discard.
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PERU – Local artists were presented with a challenge: create wearable works of art in their areas of expertise using everyday materials people ordinarily discard. This unique collection of wearable works of art will be modeled at “Discarded: A Trashion Show,” presented by North Central Illinois (NCI) ARTworks on Saturday, July 27.
“Discarded is an art event showcasing unique garments and accessories hand-crafted by eight local artists who accepted our challenge,” said Chris Coughlin, executive director of NCI ARTworks.
None of the artists are fashion designers but their creations are amazing. Each one has embraced “trashion,” which is a real art form to help us see environmental issues in a different, artistic way. This will be an exciting, unique but not run-of-the-mill art show.
The event will take place from 7 to 11 p.m. in the atrium of the Westclox building, 300 Fifth St., Peru. The show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets may be purchased online at Eventbrite.com; at Chain, Link & Gemstone; at the Westclox ARTworks Center in the west wing of Westclox; or call (815) 228-1253. (Must be 21 to attend.) The ticket price includes the fashion show, musical entertainment, buckets of snacks and access to the Star Union Distillery Tasting Room and a cash bar offering beer, wine and soft drinks.
“This is a new and exciting way for you to experience art,” event co-chair Arica DeArcos said. “This show has been a dream of mine since I lived in Hawaii and had a friend who made handbags from fishing nets and other materials that washed up on the shore. Through art, she repurposed items discarded in the ocean to draw attention to the wastefulness. Discarded raises the same issues, with different kinds of wearable art, but no ocean. The win-win for attending Discarded is you’ll have a unique, high-energy, art experience in a music club-like setting.”
Coughlin said attendees also can be part of the solution that night. “Think of over-consumption in terms of clothes,” she said. “If it’s time to declutter your closet, feel free to bring one or more gently used clothing items that you’d like to donate. Attendees who donate clothing receive one free ticket to enter to win one of the experience package raffles. NCI ARTworks will donate the clothing to local organizations on your behalf.”
A collection of garments and accessories from Discarded will be on display at the Music Suite 408’s Paintbox Gallery in the west wing of the Westclox building on Aug. 9 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. as part of Second Friday at Westclox: Time for Music and Art. Some of the items may be available for sale by the artists.
