Daily Loaf

Kreative Key sits down with photographer and gallery owner Marina Williams to discuss TRA’shion Fashion, coming to ARTPool Gallery July 11th…

KK – So Marina, ARTPool gallery is gearing up for another TRA’shion Fashion Show.  If you’ve never been to TRA’shion Fashion, what is it and what’s it like?

MW – TRA’shion Fashion is one of the Tampa Bay’s best creative couture fashion shows. It combines ingenuity with recycling and challenges designers to think outside of the box.  Highlighting high-fashion runway attire and the top models in Florida, TRA’shion Fashion took St. Pete by storm last year and is going to top itself with an even more extreme show on July 11th.  A definite event to pencil in and experience if you love fashion, wearable art & support local art, as this show features designers from ages 18 to 80.

KK – That sounds amazing!  I’m sure anyone into Project Runway would really enjoy this event.  If you came last year and saw TRA’shion Fashion, do you have any new surprises for those party people?

MW – The space, runway, and entire show have grown immensely.  So has our event space for this night which will include a 3,000-square-foot courtyard with an additional runway and designer market for visitors to purchase one-of-a-kind creations from our designers from 6-9 p.m. with the runway show at 9:30.  The fashion market will be open for visitors to purchase from contributing designers’ collections of everyday wear.  Designs will include jewelry, streetwear fashion, couture, accessories, installation art and much more.  Musical performances will also be taking place by local favorites Jim Morey Band, The New Math and more.

original photography by Ellen Marie Bland

KK – Ticket prices are $20.  What’s covered for that price?

MW – Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for students, all children under 10 are free.  All ages are welcome.  Group rates on parties over 10 is $15 per person.  Ticket includes a complimentary beverage, entertainment, and lots of fun.  Photography is welcome.

KK – That’s great!  If you are a photographer, the ticket price is a bargain for the eye-candy.  Are all the designers featured local artists?

MW – We have a plethora of local designers, including Kaeli Ellis, Nora Gaunt, Katy Alderman, John Revisky, Katherine Wagner and more.  The art scene in the Tampa Bay area has a great amount of amazingly strong talent.  Last year’s show included 20 designers and this year the show will include over 30 individuals.

KK – So, Marina, what’s so great about the art scene in the St. Pete/Tampa Bay area?

MW – What’s great about the area is how much art is happening and how fast it is growing.  More people are being creative, expressive and contributing to Florida’s culture.  ARTpool wants art to be approachable, obtainable and for everyone.   It is exciting to be fueling the area and helping to create a mecca for artists and the public to gather.  ARTpool loves St. Pete and is happy to be here.  We hope you join us for some ARTsy fun soon.

KK – If you are a hip chick or art hound, what has ArtPool got that you want?

MW – ARTpool is a collective of great people.  The 1,600-square-foot East Village-inspired art space houses hundreds of pieces of artwork by local artists annually and also hosts an ART pARTy every month.  Each event has a specific theme and is open to the public to participate and collaborate with the gallery.  100% of all sales goes to the artists with no gallery commission.  In addition to hosting insanely fun and wild ART pARTies and also being a fully functioning gallery open five days out of the week, in the rear of the building is a fantastic, out-of-this-world vintage boutique. Housing men’s and women’s fashions, accessories, and kitschy quirky finds from the 1930s to present day, you may find your next Audrey Hepburn-era dress or Knoll Tulip breakfast table and chairs.  A definite spot to shop and check out if you love original ART & adore sporting sweet trends from decades past.

KK – The vintage clothing is fabulous!  It’s hard to keep your hands off those pieces ARTPool has collected.  Anything else you’d like to add or let people know about?

MW – TRA’shion Fashion will be a fantastic and fun event for all ages, and individuals.  If you love fashion this event is a must-see event. If you’re not that into fashion – you will be wowed and impressed with the inventiveness and wild designs.  July 11th will be a fantastic event celebrating art, fashion, recyclable design, music, and fun for the whole family.  For more information visit www.artpoolrules.com or call Marina Williams at 727.324.3878 or email artpoolrules@gmail.com.

Marina also told me a couple little tidbits for you local trendaholics… A neat element is that some of the featured fashion designs are by fine artists, graphic designers, photographers and others in creative realms.  The event will also showcase works from contributing designers from Miami, Orlando, Sarasota and all over the state.

ARTPool Gallery is really moving and taking shape.  Anyone who wants to dive into ARTPool, is in for a thrill!  Ride the wave of the New Artists rockin’ the town! Kreative Key will be there covering the kraziness.  Join in the fun and take the dive!

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