Call to Artists: Ragfinery’s Flora and Fauna Runway Challenge

Ragfinery, Bellingham’s community hub for creative textile reuse, announces its much anticipated 4th annual runway “challenge,” this year titled Flora and Fauna, and seeks artists to participate. In conjunction with April’s Earth Day festivities, the theme celebrates our natural world in its elegance and wonder, challenging participants to design and construct costumes, garments and accessories that embody the beauty and grace displayed in our natural world. Participants will share their creations on the runway at the Leopold Crystal Ballroom for the community to experience on Saturday, April 14, at 7:00 p.m.

The challenge will open for artist registration on Wednesday, February 14th for a $20 registration fee. Materials can then be purchased from Ragfinery. There will be a cap of 28 participants and materials are first come first serve, so early registration is encouraged. Individuals interested in participating can sign up in person at Ragfinery (1421 N. Forest Street, Bellingham) and details about the event can be found at ragfinery.com.

Participants’ entries must be submitted on Friday, April 13 for judging and dress rehearsal.

Ragfinery is a Bellingham nonprofit organization that diverts unwanted textiles from the waste stream and upcycles them in a training business that provides transitional jobs for low income clients of our partner social service agencies and schools. We collaborate with local artisans and community volunteers to repurpose unwanted garments and textiles into a variety of upcycled goods that showcase the skills and talent of our collective.