Who could miss the wildly colourful display of ladies' brassieres at the Fibre Arts Festival in Gibsons last August? The exhibit featured the first entries in the second annual Art Bra Challenge, taking place now in Sechelt.
It's hard not to notice a bra with three cups. Entitled Chernobyl's Secret, after the Ukrainian nuclear reactor that melted down in 1986, the three-seater was created by artist Anneke Pearse. She wrote that her entry was "half in jest, whole in earnest," and an attempt to remind people of the dangers of pollution of all kinds. Other bras in the collection were embellished with frills, flowers, sequins or metal. There were no rules for how to make an art bra, other than to be creative and have fun. The deadline for art bra submissions is Oct. 7 and, according to some creators, it takes longer than you'd think to make one. The art bras will be auctioned the following week, on Friday, Oct. 13, under the gavel of auctioneer Ed Hill. The event starts at 7:30 p.m. in Trail Bay Mall and includes a wearable art fashion show. Those from the sewing community who have a knack with a needle will model their outfits, followed by wine and cheese, then the public can bid on the bras.
"We raised $2,400 last year," says organizer Diane Flynn, "and hope to do as well this year."
The organizers at Sew Easy in Sechelt were first inspired after seeing a calendar published by a women's wellness group from the States that used the opportunity to raise money for breast cancer research. You don't have to be a cancer survivor or even artistic; anyone is welcome to participate, and all are invited to the show.
Tickets for the Wearable Art Show must be bought in advance for $10 at Sew Easy in Sechelt and The Swallow's Nest in Gibsons. Funds from this creative event go towards breast cancer research.
