Recycled Runway
A fundraiser with a twist is in the offing for Saturday, September 28th, to benefit the American Mural Project in Winsted.
“Every year we have done an Art of Work Gala,” said Amy Wynn, executive director of the AMP, “but this year we decided to do something different than the same old silent auction and sit-down dinner. We came up with a ‘recycled runway’ theme.”
Some 35 different participants have put their skills to crafting “wearable art” that will be modeled on a long runway in the same gallery where the mural is being created.
“This is a space like no other,” said Wynn, who reported that artist and founder of the AMP, Ellen Griesedieck, “has been burning the candle at both ends” to advance progress on 120-foot-long, 48-foot-high mural that celebrates American workers.
“About 30 percent of the two-dimensional panels will be up,” Wynn said, “which will definitely add to the evening. We hope people will have an experience that is really memorable and different.”
As for the wearable art to be displayed that evening, the only criterion in its manufacture is that it be primarily crafted from items that would have ended up in a transfer station. “We’ve had a great response from a broad community,” Wynn said. “We’ve had all ages from grade school children to adults, professional designers to others who are just having fun. Some are more serious, others more playful. Altogether, we have more than 35 pieces going down the runway.”
Some of the designs show real panache—such as a sultry red evening gown fringed with recycled straws or a strapless, tiered cocktail dress crafted from recycled plastic store bags.
The evening opens at 6PM with a reception with “lots of hearty hors d’oeuvres,” followed by the Recycled Runway, emceed by Jeff Geddes, who will describe the works and what they are made of.
At 8PM, the second phase of the evening begins with desserts, drinks and dancing. “That’s when our second wave of guests will come in,” explained Wynn. “We wanted to make the evening available to a wider spectrum of people, so those who maybe couldn’t afford the full evening can come for the desserts and dancing. Some of the models will come down and dance so even those guests will be able to see part of the recycled runway.”
The State Troubador, R&B singer Nekita Waller, will also perform. “We’re very excited to have her and her band,” said Wynn. Light projections will be provided by Joe Wheaton.
She said that in the spirit of making the event more accessible to more people, young adults under the legal drinking age will be able to attend. “We have had feedback that younger people have been excluded from previous events,” said Wynn, adding that prices are priced at $175 ($100 for those under 21) for the entire evening, and $50 ($35 for under 21) for the dessert and dance party. A VIP ticket option, including premium parking and priority seating for the runway show, is $350 per person.
For tickets or more information, call 860-379-3006 or click on the link below.
