ArtPop Hosts Second Annual Upcycled Fashion Show 

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ArtPop Street Gallery is hosting its second annual Upcycled Fashion Show on September 9. The show will feature fashion pieces made from retired billboard vinyls that are printed with original artwork from the #ArtPopCLT Cities Program. 

“Giving new life to the art, while reducing the use of newly- manufactured materials, this upcycling initiative makes for a fantastic evening or color, pattern, creativity and intrigue,” said Wendy Hickey, ArtPop Founder and Executive Director. “Many people may not realize that the images on static billboards around the city are printed on giant swaths of vinyl material. We divert over 13,000 square feet of that vinyl from landfills each year and put it in the hands of artists who give the art a new meaning.”  

“Giving new life to the art, while reducing the use of newly- manufactured materials, this upcycling initiative makes for a fantastic evening or color, pattern, creativity and intrigue,” said Wendy Hickey, ArtPop Founder and Executive Director. “Many people may not realize that the images on static billboards around the city are printed on giant swaths of vinyl material. We divert over 13,000 square feet of that vinyl from landfills each year and put it in the hands of artists who give the art a new meaning.”  

In addition to the runway walk, guests can enjoy hors d’oeuvres, dessert, a cash bar (two drink tickets included with ticket purchase), and a silent auction with the opportunity to win a trip to Antigua. The program will be emceed by local media personality, Ohavia Phillips. 

Each designer draws from individual expression and inspiration, resulting in designs that are unexpected, visionary and inventive. This year, the fashion show features 14 Charlotte-area artists who ArtPop commissioned to produce wearable art. Designers in the 2023 fashion show are: 

• Will White, Jr
• CT Anderson
• Edelweiss Vogel
• Jennifer Gilomen
• Shekinah Williams
• Anise Augustin
• Chris Hairston
• Rachel Malasky
• Jamie LykesII 
• JanelleMarieJarvis 
• Sarah Grace Simas 
• Rocio Llusca
• Que of Mix | Match & Style
• Verna Witt

The event takes place on September 9, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Griffith Hall at Lenny Boy Brewing Company. Tickets are $95 to $110 each and include two drink tickets.  

VIP tickets are available for $150 and include access at 5 p.m. (an hour before general admission), an opportunity to meet world-renowned fashion designer, Luis Machicao, an ArtPopUpcycled Tote Bag, premiere seating and more.  

Tickets are sold here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2023-artpop-upcycled-fashion-show-tickets-600821101087 

2022 Highlight Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQPMCxaHSLU 

All proceeds from the event sustain ArtPop Street Gallery’s mission of promoting artists, providing art to the public, education programs, scholarships, pop-up markets and paid opportunities for artists.