‘Embellish!’ Show Takes Art – Off the Wall, Down the Runway
Lace, sparkles, frills and dazzle – how many ways can you make your old denim jacket better?
All of that – and more! – is on parade as the Brownwood Art Association presents the 5th annual Fiber and Textile Arts (BAAFTA) show, opening Thursday, Sept. 3, at the Art Center in Downtown Brownwood.
This year’s BAAFTA theme is “Embellish!” with an exclamation point! Embellish is a fancy word for making something more attractive by the addition of decorative details or features – this year, that’s your standard all-American, ready-for-anything, wear-with-everything denim jacket.
And shirts. And jeans. And vests. Anything denim.
Layers of lace, beads, trim, ruffles, stitching, intricate weaves, hand-drawn art and loads of creativity make up this year’s exhibit, complete with a Style Show featuring all your favorite denim wardrobe staples, modeled by your friends and neighbors.
Susan Scott Smith, BAAFTA lead coordinator, says this year’s show takes art “off the walls and down the runway.”
“Traditionally, our BAAFTA show is a mind-blowing array of fiber and textile arts, but this year we decided to focus on the ancient – and new! — techniques of turning your most basic garment into a statement of creativity, glamour and drama,” Smith said. “And you will be amazed at the various ways we ‘Embellish!’
“And if fancy denim isn’t your thing, there are many other examples of fiber art – our artists bring their inspiration and creativity to life in so many ways – hand-stitched and hand-painted wall hangings, felted wool figures, ceramics, colorful rope bowls, adorable children’s clothing, crocheted and knitted jewelry and wearables … literally something for everyone!”
“Embellish!” opens to the public Thursday, Sept. 3, from 5 to 7 pm at the Art Center, 215 Fisk Ave., Downtown Brownwood. The Style Show begins at 5:30, followed by a raffle drawing for the BAAFTA wall hanging celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States of America.
“And door prizes!,” Smith exclaimed. “We have some amazing items for our guests to take home. The variety of talent in our group is incredible – but you must be present to win, so come and plan to stay for every minute of fun and inspiration.”
The Brownwood Art Association is a non-profit organization, founded in 1927. It marks its 100th anniversary next year.
The Art Center at 215 Fisk Ave. is the center of BAA activities and exhibits. The Center is open Tuesday through Friday, from 2 to 6 pm., and Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm.
Besides the Fiber and Textile Arts group, BAA includes traditional representational art, photography, children and youth programs, People Painters, creative writing, and a Drum Circle.
For further information on “Embellish!” and other activities at the Art Center, call 325.641.2916, or visit www.brownwoodart.org.