Garments are to fashion designers as sculptures are to sculptors. This weekend, the two combine.
Uncommon Thread Wearable Art Show showcases art from around the country, but instead of a stationary piece, the artists are challenged to create a piece that can move while being worn by a live model.
In 2007, the Uncommon Thread Wearable Art Show was created, and it’ll return Dec. 5 for its eighth year. Baton Rouge’s Main Library will be the backdrop to this year’s event, fitting to match the show’s theme of “Epilogue.” While the artists will tell a story of their book or play in the garment, the library will set the scene for their written inspirations.
Director Erin Rolfs said she started the event to embrace national competition and push art locally.
“[It draws] people into the act of seeing and thinking about art by taking the artwork off the walls and putting a human into the piece,” she said.
Pushing the local part of the event was something Rolfs succeeded in. LSU has four students who worked on pieces in their art class since the middle of the semester. Savanna LeBauve,Grace Simonson, Hailey Faucheaux and Ronni Bourgeois, a former photographer for The Daily Reveille, will showcase their work in their first wearable art show.
LSU art teacher Loren Schwerd said she’s used the show as a way to get her classes involved for the past eight years.
“I understand that I’m throwing them for a bit of a loop, as in it’s something that they’ve never done before, nor do they have much background in creating garment like pieces,” Schwerd said, “So we were floundering for a little bit until they completely grasped what they were doing.”
The artists agreed this was a challenge for them, but they enjoyed learning all new aspects of their project, including the first step of applying.
Simonson said Uncommon Thread was an interesting application process to go through. She said it was nervewracking that people will see the artists’ pieces through whatever you write in the artist statement.
After applying and getting in, they said it was a stretch to get started. The artists encountered a creative block in moments where they then said they had to stop, step back and look at it in another light.
They all agreed the project had its ups and downs, but Schwerd told them they would feel much different when they see their pieces in the show.
While the show achieved its goal of bringing in new artists to the venue, Rolfs said there is still room to grow.
As for the future of Uncommon Thread, Rolfs said bringing someone in to take over the event may be the next step. Passing the baton to someone who can bring new ideas and create a wider platform for the event.
“Uncommon Thread has it’s own reputation, I believe a good one and a strong one, so to gift that to an individual who is interested in cultural administration and production would be awesome,” Rolfs said.

Gallery • 3 Photos

Mark Bienvenu

Courtesy of Mark Bienvenu