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Dunedin center to again hold wearable art show

Photo from Dunedin Fine Art Center

Artist Frank Strunk and a model wearing one of his metallic creations. Strunk is taking part in the 2009 Dunedin Fine Art Center Wearable Art Fashion Show.

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By Mark  Schantz | The Suncoast News

Published: July 25, 2009

Updated: 07/27/2009 11:51 am

Always on the cutting edge of fashion, designers of the Dunedin Fine Art Center Wearable Art Fashion Show promise this year's show will not disappoint spectators.

The fashion showcase extravaganza of the region begins with a party and live music at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, at the Dunedin Fine Art Center in Highlander Park, 1143 Michigan Blvd. The fifth Wearable Art Fashion Show is at 9 p.m. at the adjacent Dunedin Community Center, then it's back to the DFAC for an after-show party and concert.

"People have really high expectations of us and that only inspires us want to make Wearable Art even better and more exciting," said Kaya Jill, the show's founder.

In previous years, fashions presented at the show have been made out of metal, balloons, dried fruit and other items, along with the more traditional cloth.

Jill said "this year we have new designers and some favorite designers with new and exciting works.

Five years ago, Wearable Art was one of the first in the area to showcase a growing contingent of artists working in fashion related fields.

"Some very talented young artists working in fashion design and related art fields are chosen to exhibit at Wearable Art," she said. "They have to be unique and cutting-edge."

Designers include Rogerio Martins, who works with a lot of texturized materials such as organic juta, old-fashioned fabric used for packing spice to ship from Africa to America, natural carpet fabric, clothespins, pieces of wood, aluminum foil and dried plants.

Another artist, known simply as Ungala, plans to present fashions created from bubble wrap, while Frank Strunk plans to present creations with metallic elements.

Ticket prices have been kept low, so everyone can afford to attend the party. "What is nice is that everyone comes out to support us and enjoy themselves," Jill said.

"We expect another sellout and just an incredible show," she said. Others have tried to copy Wearable Art, but we continue to win accolades and awards as the "must-see event at the cutting edge of the art and fashion world."

Tickets are $15 for general admission, $50 for bleacher seats, and $75 to be at the runway.

Tickets are available at the center or online at www.dfac.org.

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