“Rags to Art: Finding Beauty in Cast-Off Fibers” Fiber Art Show
Inspired by Dolly Parton’s iconic "Coat of Many Colors," this art show, sponsored by Ozark Artery and West Plains Downtown Revitalization and hosted by Gammill Sewing Center, celebrates creativity, resourcefulness, and love stitched into every thread. In the spirit of the iconic song, this art show invites artists to create fiber-based art using found, recycled, or upcycled materials. Pieces will be displayed on clothesline, evoking the imagery of Dolly’s colorful coat and the beauty of handmade and repurposed work. Let’s celebrate Dolly’s message of love and community!
Eligibility:
- All Skill Levels Welcome: Beginners, students, seasoned artists, and hobbyists are all encouraged to participate.
- Age: High school through Adult
- Medium: Submissions must be fiber art pieces incorporating used/secondhand, found, recycled, or scrap materials. Examples are clothing items (preference is for clothing made from scraps/recycled material, but lightweight clothing items decorated with the described materials are acceptable); quilt blocks; wall hangings; fabric art; mixed-fiber, etc. NO kits of any kind.
Submission Guidelines:
- Theme: All pieces should embody the theme of using cast-off and repurposed materials to create something beautiful and meaningful.
- Materials: Artists are encouraged to use textiles, fabric scraps, old clothes, buttons, beads, leftover yarn, or any other materials that reflect the idea of resourcefulness and sustainability. The use of thrift store/secondhand purchases and on-hand items is encouraged. Items should NOT include new materials purchased to create art for this show.
- Size: Each submission must be suitable to hang on a clothesline, with a maximum width of 32 inches and a maximum length of 36 inches. Keep in mind that larger pieces should be lightweight enough to hang on a line, attached with clothespins.
Hanging: You need to incorporate a clothespin-friendly top edge (e.g., binding, sleeve, or reinforced backing). No hard frames allowed.
- Keep weather exposure in mind—works will be displayed outdoors for one day, so make sure your work is suitably sturdy.
How to Enter:
- Prepare your fiber art piece(s) according to guidelines above.
- Drop-Off: Saturday, September 27, 9 a.m.-noon or September 29-30, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., at Gammill Sewing Center, 108 Washington Avenue. All pieces must be dropped off during the submission window to be displayed at the event, unless other suitable arrangements are made. Include a small tag (no bigger than 3x5, with a hole punched in it and on a string) that includes: brief description of the materials and inspiration behind your piece; title of the piece (if there is one); and your name (unless you prefer to be anonymous). Then safety pin it, or attach in another suitable way, to your art.
Entry Fees:
- First entry is free.
- Additional pieces are $5 each (up to a maximum of four total pieces per artist). The entry money will be used for cash awards to winners.
Judging and Awards:
- Judging Panel: A panel of judges will review all entries based on creativity, use of appropriate materials, and thematic relevance to the Coat of Many Colors.
- Prizes: Prizes will be awarded to the top three entries, as determined by the judges
- People’s Choice Award: The public will vote for their favorite piece using non-perishable food items. Voters will be encouraged to bring canned goods, dry goods, or other non-perishable food items to the stroll to cast their vote. To honor Dolly’s spirit of helping, all food collected will be donated to the West Plains Bridges Program to support local students and families in need. The piece with the most votes will receive the People’s Choice Award
Display and Event Information:
- Location: The art will be displayed under a canopy on Court Square during the Dolly and Porter West Plains Downtown Stroll, 4-7 p.m., Thursday, October 2, 2025. Winners will be announced at 6:45 p.m.
- Pick-Up: Artists are encouraged to pick up their pieces at 7 p.m. October 2 at the Stroll. In the event you are unable to attend, remaining pieces will be available for pick up at Gammill Sewing Center, October 6-10. Any pieces left unclaimed after October 10 will be donated to a local charity or recycled, unless suitable arrangements are made.
Additional Information:
- Copyright/Intellectual Property: Artists retain ownership of their work but grant permission for their artwork to be photographed and shared for promotional purposes.
- Liability: While every effort will be made to care for the artwork, organizers are not responsible for any damage or theft during the event.
