Entry Day for “Rags to Art” Fiber Art Show hosted by Ozark Artery and West Plains Downtown
Artists, makers, and creative community members are invited to participate in a unique fiber art exhibition inspired by Dolly Parton’s beloved song “Coat of Many Colors.” This “Rags to Art” celebration of creativity, resilience, and love will be displayed during the Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner-themed Downtown Stroll, hosted by West Plains Downtown Revitalization (WPDR) on October 2, from 4 to 7 p.m., an event that is free to attend and open to all.
The show is a collaboration between Ozark Artery and WPDR and will feature fiber-based artwork that is recycled or upcycled to pay tribute to Dolly’s story of her mother turning rags into a coat for her to wear when there was no money to buy a new coat.
This is a competitive show, open to those of high school age and older with prizes to be awarded to first, second, and third place along with a people’s choice award. All skill levels are welcome.
Accepted forms include clothing made from used/secondhand material or scraps, decorated garments, quilt blocks, wall hangings, mobiles, mixed-fiber works, and more. NO kits of any kind. Submissions should evoke the imagery of Dolly’s patchwork coat and spotlight the beauty of handmade, sustainable art which is meaningful and beautiful.
Acceptable materials to use include fabric and textile scraps, old clothing, thrifted materials, buttons, leftover yarn or thread, etc. Many things can be incorporated into the pieces, but please do not buy brand-new materials to use specifically for this project. Artists can purchase secondhand items or use materials they have on-hand, but everyone should keep in mind that the artwork must embrace the concepts of upcycling and recycling, in honor of ‘making do’ and ‘getting by’ like Dolly’s family did. This show is also in keeping with the spirit of transforming cast-off and maybe even otherwise unwanted or useless materials into something heartfelt and inspiring.”
Pieces can be any dimension, up to a maximum size of 32 inches wide by 36 inches long. They must be lightweight enough to hang on a clothesline and if not a piece of clothing, the items should include a ‘clothespin-friendly’ edge. Keep in mind what your work will look like if it’s hanging on a clothesline and create accordingly. Items should not be hard framed. Weather should also be taken into consideration. We are planning to display the art outside around the edge of a canopy, so there will be some exposure to the elements. This is not a show for fragile items.
Gammill Sewing Center, 108 Washington Ave., is serving as the host for entries. Items can be dropped off there Saturday, September 27, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. or Monday, September 29 and Tuesday, September 30, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Each piece must include a small tag (maximum size 3×5) which includes artist’s name (optional if anonymity preferred); title of the piece; materials used; and brief description or inspiration for the piece. Attach tag securely to the piece using a string and safety pin.
Entry Fee for the first piece is free, with a $5 fee for each additional submission, up to four total entries per artist. The entry fees go toward prize awards for winning entries. A panel of judges will evaluate the works on creativity, use of materials, and alignment with the “Coat of Many Colors” theme.
In addition to prizes for the top three pieces, a people’s choice award will be given, voted on by the public the night of the stroll, using non-perishable food items and/or dollars as votes. One vote per food item (or one vote per dollar). All food and financial donations will go to the West Plains Schools Bridges Program, benefiting local families in need.
Winners will be announced at 6:45 p.m., October 2. Artists are encouraged to attend the Stroll and can pick up their work at the conclusion of the event, 7 p.m., but for those who are interested, we will keep the pieces until the Ozark Heritage Festival (October 17 & 18) and display them there. For those unable to attend the Stroll and who don’t want their work displayed at the festival, the pieces can be picked up during business hours at Gammill Sewing, October 6–10. Unclaimed pieces will be donated or responsibly recycled.
Artists will retain ownership of their work, but by participating, they grant permission for promotional photography. While care will be taken, organizers are not liable for lost, damaged, or stolen items.
Join Ozark Artery and WPDR in honoring Dolly’s enduring message of love and resourcefulness. Let your creativity shine on the line!