Starlight Wishes

Cinco de Mayo flitted by in the wink of an eye. Recycled Runway Fashion Show, a fundraiser to benefit the ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes, hit the stage on May 5, 2018 at the Corning Museum of Glass and it dazzled the audience like never before.

Sapphire themed Tablescapes

There was a sapphire theme to celebrate the 45th anniversary of The ARTS Council.  Everyone was asked to wear sapphire in solidarity. 

Even the tables were decorated accordingly.

Painted Love by Jennifer Sekella

While the theater was being transformed, there was a flurry of makeup and hair styling backstage.  Two salons sponsored hair and makeup services.  BellaCapelli and Lotus Lounge provided magical details to compliment each fashion design.  Painted Love by Jennifer Sekella offered her face and body painting services to give models a bold appearance.  Here you see our model, Roni, getting the superstar treatment.

Final Countdown

There are two rehearsals during the day to get each models' walk to their music as precise as their designer envisioned it.  I have the lucky placement at the head of the line to grant each model entrance to the runway to work their magic with the crowd.  

This scene was the final countdown before we set the stage.

Nerves start to Override

From my vantage point, I see nerves start to override confidence.  It's my job to boost that confidence to the stars.  I have a magical wand that provides all the power.  

Roni surprisingly owned this role of a star child with grace of a queen.  

This is her last moment before the big reveal to the public.

Enter "Starlight Wishes"

Starlight

Star bright

First star I see tonight

I wish I may

I wish I might

Have the wish

I wish tonight.

There's no doubt "Starlight Wishes" stole the hearts of our audience.  She certainly shined!

This year was my favorite design created in the Southeast Steuben County Library Fashion Club.  The smaller design group kept everyone on task and focused.  

The results are fabulous!

Thanks for following this story of trash-formation.

Check back soon for more adventures in Library Land!

xo,

Erica

Cinco de Mayo-Recycled

The Fashion Club's recycled design is ready to hit the runway this Cinco de Mayo.  Today is your last day to purchase tickets online at https://artscouncil.ticketspice.com/2018-recycled-runway  Remember, we are celebrating the 45th anniversary of The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes and should wear sapphire in solidarity.

"Glitter Ghost" Haunting Market Street

Do you remember the "Glitter Ghost" we created for Recycled Runway 2017?  The Gaffer District in Corning, New York was kind enough to help promote this year's event by displaying several ensembles in store front windows.  "Candy Wrapper's Delight" by Hiedi L. Allison stands beside the ghost and represent a bit of the talent that goes into these fashion shows.

Final Details

Last week, our school district closed for spring break, so the Fashion Club met twice to complete "Starlight Wishes."  Our lovely model and her mother stayed late one night creating some of the final details.  These shoes were decorated with 3-D printed scraps and cardboard tabs, which were glued and glittered.

They devised a purse, which will hold the wishes we make when we see that first star of the night.  She will grant those wishes at the end of the catwalk with a glittered slingshot.  The grace of this model will win the hearts of the audience--no doubt!

Sneaky Peeky

This is your last sneak peek of the details of this dress before it hits the runway on Saturday.  We hope you venture out to celebrate our accomplishments.  There are over 10 hours of dedicated work put into this ensemble alone.  That does not reflect the amount of hands working on it.  There are 34 models set to walk this runway, each working over 40 hours each on their own pieces.  We promise this is a show you do not want to miss.

One note of respect:  

Recycled Runway is not connected to (but is applauded by) Recycle Runway.

In preparation for the seventh installment of Recycled Runway Fashion Show, we discovered an artist using (and owning) a very similar name.  Nancy Judd is an established designer with copyright protection to her business.  From her website:  Artist and environmental educator Nancy Judd of Recycle Runway creates couture fashion from trash as an innovative way to provide education about conservation.

With respect to Nancy Judd and protection of artist's rights, the name of this event will be changed in 2019 to Runway Reboot.  It's an exciting moment for change.  Time for a REBOOT!

Spider Mums to Celebrate 45 Years!

I'll leave you with some sapphire Spider Mums that I crafted in the Creation Station, the Southeast Steuben County Library's Maker Space.  There are 2 Cricut Machines that cut the paper needed to establish a mum shaped flower.  Mums and sapphires are traditional gifts for a 45th anniversary, so we plan to celebrate in style. 

Cinco de Mayo-Recycled!

Check back in a few weeks to see the final "Starlight Wishes" ensemble on stage.

xo,

Erica

Garden of Fire 2017

We have celebrated the Garden of Fire Festival previously, but this year was certainly memorable.  Although this summer was mostly a rainy washout, the weather was on our side COMPLETELY for this festival! Rain fell before the event began and there was a MAJOR downpour just after I packed up my supplies, but not a drop while we played outdoors.

Let the Festival Begin

Members of the Corning Native American Council led the opening ceremony with chants of unity, health, and happiness.  There were nearly 400 people from 6 area youth agencies on premises to enjoy this experience.  The purpose of this festival is to celebrate six weeks of art education with an "earth" theme.

Earthy Centerpiece

The crowd congregated around the Three Sisters sculpture made of glass and metal.  Three artists collaborated to create this permanent fixture at Care First in Coopers Plains.  Mud was used this year to add an earth element by means of a sculpture of the Sky Woman, an Iroquois Creation Story.  Students worked under the direction of artists to create the work, but had their own voice to develop the depiction.

Paint Earth's Elements

This activity packed celebration offered treats in every corner of the property.  Several organizations participated to create a variety of options.  There were canvases for collaborative representations of the earth's elements.  The Food Bank of the Southern Tier offered a mobile farmers market and every child got to fill a bag with fresh vegetables.  

The Southeast Steuben County Library provided two separate activities.

harp & heART

Maryalice brought her harp to offer some "Music and Creativity."  She played songs of varying tempo and beat.  Students were asked to use different types of drawing media to let the music dictate their imagery.  

"Nancy" on the Road

My Giant Knitting Nancy loom made another appearance this year.  I brought this loom to the first Garden of Fire festival in 2013, but many of the kids who wove on it then are now in college.  Ironically, the kids who used the loom this year turned it into a game.  Kids entered the end of the weaving, shimmied toward the center of the loom, then hit it in reverse to exit the weaving.  I have taken this loom to several events and this has never happened. 

A knitting nancy or ned was used historically to create woven tubing.  Items such as fishing nets, stockings, and socks were made with these looms, but I wanted to demonstrate to students that they can produce similar creations using their own fingers.  

Patience is Important

Providing a photo tutorial was intended to help guide the students to learn on their own, but I discovered that the festival atmosphere had each kid on activity overload.  

Calming Activity

Finger weaving or knitting creates tubing with versatile uses.  Headbands, belts, bracelets and necklaces were the options to make, depending upon time and patience.

Nimble Fingers

Some students grasped this technique and made long rope!

Quick and Simple

With limited time to learn and create, a few kids created bracelets, which only took 5 minutes to make.

Try and Try Again

Some adult students had the hardest time grasping the technique to this weaving process.  

Quick Learners

Some students quickly learned the technique, then shared their knowledge, allowing me a lunch break.

Festival's End

To end the festival, everyone gathered for a closing ceremony.  The Corning Native American Council along with some magnificent drummers led chants and songs, students recited poetry and team administrators thanked everyone for a wonderful event.

It was a joy to be part of such a magnificent youth program in my community.

I wonder what the theme will be in 2018.

For more information on Garden of Fire, visit:

https://gardenoffire.com/blog/

Check back soon for coverage of the week-long Theatre Camp with Centre Stage Community Theatre.

Thanks for visiting!

~erica

Friday Fashion Club- Recycled Runway Preparation

The time has arrived, once again, for us to prepare our design submissions for Recycled Runway Fashion Show, a fundraiser for The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes.

Tat leading the Fashionistas

Tat Buchholz is the lead instructor for this series again.  Tat's energy and ideas push this group to levels of design usually seen in college courses.  This year will be no different from previous, but we have a smaller group, so everyone will work a little harder.

Aside from preparing our design proposal, teaching techniques to manipulate materials was the main focus of the program.  In order to make a grand impression on the runway, the audience needs to see big, impressive shapes.  The need for volume to each detail is important to make the design memorable.  These techniques the students learn are stepping stones for future project designs.

Amelia helps prepare the Proposal

After each technique was learned, we included it in our proposal page.  The collage of our proposal started exciting the group of girls.  We chose a title for the design- "Glitter Ghost" will be an ethereal existence, garbed in garbage.  Once the title was determined, the girls had visions of shoes, big eyelashes, and motorized thingamajigs....we get dreamy on the design floor.

While the details I provide in the coming months will be limited to techniques, you get a sneak peek at our jacket destination from our inspiration photo.  Lydia learned how to make chains with packaging from Blue Apron.  The volume created from this technique will certainly make our model waif-like.  The goal is for bigger presence than the body provides.  I just can't wait to see how this looks on the catwalk!

This group will meet each fourth Friday, with some dates added for flavor (meaning extra work time).  We have gotten off to a great start, even with less students than previous years. To catch up on recent designs, read up on our impressive entry from 2016.  It WoWed! the audience!!!

2017 Fashion Club Schedule

We meet again to work, work, work, work, work just 6 more times before the big event on June 3.  Check back often to see our progress--at least up-close detailed shots of our progress.  This is really a top secret project until revealed on the catwalk.  Get your ticket and enjoy the fun evening in store.

Until next time...thanks for visiting!

-erica

Theatre Camp 2016

The last week of August held excitement and multi-layered skill building for anyone aged ten and older at the Southeast Steuben County Library.  Partnering with the local theater group, Centre Stage Community Theatre, we hosted a week of Theatre Camp for five fun-filled days.  

Kimerly Canale is a terrific actress!

This workshop was offered in 2015 and was such a great success, we had to offer it in 2016.  Kimberly Canale lead the week once again with the help of the forever-funny, Eduvigis Vazquez>>> lovingly known as Eddie or Abuelo. 

Everyone loved Eddie for his goofy traits and all inclusive personality.  He was quickly seen as a mentor.  Keeping the action and excitement was key to entertaining and educating this large class.  The chant "Boom Chicka Boom" was the favorite practice game for the whole crowd, especially so with Eddie's antics!

Pick up to 5 pieces

To begin, Kimberly instructed each actor to pick up to 5 pieces from this bucket.  No one knew these items would equate to details about themselves.  This ice-breaker game was handy with opening up conversation between students and breaking their shells of shyness.  

You can't take me...

With games like "You can't take me," each student had a chance to act like a household object.  Roles were given while the main actor waited outside the room.  When the "scene" began, the main actor tried removing an "item" (aka, actor) out of the scene.  The "item" would reply, "you can't take me" and give a reason.  In this image, Eddie can't take Kimberly, because "How would you tell the time?" Look at her pose.  Can you guess she's a Grandfather Clock?!

Practice makes perfect

From games like "Mirror, Mirror," where actors pair up to play off of each others' movements to tongue twisters to say out loud, like "Cinnamon Aluminum Linolem" (say it out loud!) or "Unique New York," (go on- try it!--you'll get the giggles) the group moved on to acting out plays from readers' theater script books like Cinderella Outgrows the Glass Slipper and Other Fractured Fairy Tale Plays.  Repeating the same play over and over again was not something anyone complained about!  They had the insight that repetition is the foundation to mastery.

Parent Performance

Our actors requested to perform for their parents and families on the last day, so we set up a theater for final performances.  Parents got to gush over the skills each actor gained and tons of video was shot.

If unsure, check with the director

Performances were undoubtedly wonderful.  Kimberly's guidance gave students confidence.  If anyone was unsure of a detail, they were told to "check with the director."  During performances, Kimberly announced each process and the value or purpose for each activity.  This gave everyone insight to the methodology.

Big smiles and treats

The week long workshop ended with treats for our hard working actors and some group shots.  This program was well attended, with almost 20 actors ready to play each day. Summer vacation was nearly over, but they never wanted the fun to end.  Even after 5 days and ten hours of hard work, the group groaned when we declared the end had arrived.

Groans are good after a five day program.  Aside from attendance retention, the students actions showed their appreciation for the class.  We kept it low-key.  No rehearsing, no filming, no costumes needed.  Simple repetitive fun and skill building.  Reading aloud and public speaking skills soared in this class and will be utilized for a lifetime.  Bravo actors!  

Recycled Runway Fashion Show 2016

Recycled Runway Fashion Show 2016 was a SPLENDID SUCCESS!!!  All models, designers and assistants involved helped create a beautiful show of local talent.

Recycled Runway 2016 Finale

As the months have passed since we started our Friday Fashion Club series in January, you have been allowed to follow some snippets of our design progress.  This was our first program recap.

Water bottles, cardboard circles, yarn, glue and staples

This image was just a sneak peek at the design we submitted for jury.  We knew with only 5 sessions, 1.5 hours each, our hands had to work FAST to finish our fashion.  From January through May, we chipped away at the design requirements and I am pleased to FINALLY reveal the results.

Three of our nine young designers entered their own fashion to the jury and were also selected!  These fanciful beauties were proud to prove their ability to our communtiy.

Christina is a second year designer.

"The Writing Woman"

Christina took her second year design from a writer's perspective.  With assistance from a model mentor, her design took flare fit for the runway.

"Twins in a Bag"

Nicole and Leila designed their fashion from Target shopping bags.  These bags have been a favorite medium of years past, but they have never been seen in a twin pack.  This was also Nicole's second year design, but she recruited her best friend as a first year designer.

Here is a view of these veteran designers from 2015.  As you can see, a year makes a big difference.  These ladies took their designs to a new level in their second year designs!

Please note, the marvelous Strinni Studio sponsors this beautiful event.

Last year, the SSC Library Fashion Club strutted the runway with this 1920's inspired dress.

Read more about this style in Catch Us on the Runway.

Our lovely Sarah traveled the catwalk for the Fashion Club's first year design.  Oddly, we had another Sarah strut her stuff in 2016.  And without further ado, I introduce you to the "Age of Reason."

(drummmmmmm rolllllll pleassssssssse.......)

"The Age of Reason"

"The Age of Reason" was inspired by 18th Century garb and created with dozens of water bottles used for hydration during Family Movie Matinees. They were shaped around a hula hoop for structure, then stapled and secured into a skirt.  The top is made from card board circles, which were layered with multiple colors of yarn and glue.

This mess became the top to "Age of Reason"

The hair was inspired by the big wigs of the 18th century, think Marie Antoinette.  This image surfaced about the same time as our Friday Fashion Club began and we knew the hair was the direction we needed to travel!

Although Marie Antoinette and 18th century fashion was our inspiration, we wanted our lady to keep her head!  These models arrive on scene nearly 9 hours before the runway begins.  There is dressing room assignment, assistants need to arrive, details need to be dealt, lunch needs to be served.  Designs are tested, rehearsals smooth out kinks in various angles, sweat accumulates, and the day drags on....in a good way!  There is no cake to eat, but plenty of excitement and activity. By the time the actual show begins, all nerves are set aside and relief takes over.  Everyone sees the finale just beyond the horizon.  Each model takes to the catwalk with their best moves and the audience approves EVERYTHING!

Backstage, waiting for the show to begin

This is a great experience for any designer or fashion forward follower of any age. The best part of the Friday Fashion Club is supporting these budding career and hobby interests and directing the energies into a professional outlet. Families involved absolutely adore seeing their loved ones on stage.  We were lucky to even have the local news station on hand hosting interviews and taking video.  Please enjoy our design on stage in this video link.

Please pay close attention at 1:30 into the video...THERE WE ARE!  TA-DA!!!

Another year, another success.

The Program is the Proof

You might find another name you recognize a few lines down.  If you seek, you may find proof of this blogger strutting down on the catwalk as a spider.  

Check back soon for more program coverage.  Summer is approaching along with lots of fun.  If you like costumes, comic cons, cooking, art, technology, reading, and games, keep your radar right here.  We have you covered!!!