The red carpet was rolled out last weekend at Port Moody city hall - not for Oscar night but for the 2015 Wearable Art Awards.
A total of 54 entries from artists from across Canada, the U.S., Australia and New Zealand showed their creations in the biennial contest, presented by the Port Moody Arts Centre.
Models danced down the catwalk to display the delicate and colourful textiles that made up complete outfits, head dresses and brassieres. And there were a few fabric animals like raccoons and birds that also poked into the shows.
Taking the top prize (as judged by former PoMo mayor David Driscoll, curator and art historian Hilary Letwin and businessman Fred Soofi) was The Night Flight by Carol Funnell of Chilliwack; the $1,000 accolade was donated by Pacific Coast Terminals.
The city of Port Moody's student award of $750 was handed to Emma Dunlop and Leigh McNeil of Okotoks, AB, for their Gustav's Golden Girl entry.
Another $4,750 was split between Kathryn Blair (light); Barbara Poole, Farnaz Ohadi, Tina Ning Hsu and Vanessa Walilko (nature); Diane Park, Randi Aiken, Svetlana Bardos and Vladimir Bezruc (off beat); and Anne Aitchison, Catherine Black, Collette Balcaen, Luke Detheridge and Nicole Robson (recycling).
Emceed by Ann Kitching, PMAC president and chair of the Wearable Art Awards committee, and The Tri-City News' Marianne LaRochelle, a PMAC board member, the gala event was organized by some 60 volunteers.
An opening reception will be held Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Port Moody Arts Centre (2425 St. John's St.) for the 2015 Wearable Art collection. The exhibit runs until April 2 and votes will be taken for the People's Choice Award, valued at $1,000.
jwarren@tricitynews.com
