Local designers get a venue

Verizon Center to host "Art Fashioned for the Runway"

By Sarah Johnson, Special to The Free Press

Malia Krohn and Laura Veenhuis know their way around oil paints and canvases, as graduates of the studio arts program at Bethany Lutheran College.

But as the directors of The School of Art in Mankato, they’ve recently had the opportunity to dabble in a different artform: fashion design. The School of Art is hosting its first fashion show at the Verizon Wireless Center, called “Art Fashioned for the Runway,” organized by Krohn and Veenhuis. The event is meant to spread the word about the school’s presence in Mankato as well as provide a formal evening of fashion.

Fashion is a different aspect of the art world, Krohn said, and Veenhuis noted that the school wants to get people interested in Mankato’s art scene, especially people who wouldn’t think of this as being a fashion-type place.

“There are so many artists out there that don’t do anything with their art work; they just sit in their studios, and you never see them — you don’t see their art work,” Veenhuis said. “We want to pull those people out of their dark little corners and get their names out there, too, because it’s really important as an artist to have people recognize your work.”

The show will feature six designers: Mia Eckes, Tricia Frederick, Ann Kastl, Elena Mercurio, as well as Krohn and Veenhuis, whose designs are similar in that they use “found” clothing or articles from thrift stores made unique through experimentations with glue.

Veenhuis admits that she doesn’t know how to use a sewing machine, and Krohn describes her pieces as “antique with modern qualities.”

Eckes of St. Paul, who earned her bachelor of fine arts in fiber arts from Minnesota State University in 2006, considers her work “wearable art.” Eckes’ creations “aren’t exactly ‘ready to wear,’” she said. Instead, “It’s for an audience that’s ready to view art on a body.”

With this in mind, her goals as a designer are to evoke feelings from her audience by contrasting light pieces with conceptually heavy pieces that represent social injustice.

Frederick started to sew because she needed to hem her own clothing. From there, she’s found a happiness working with fashion. Her inspiration comes from spontaneous sketches or wandering through the fabric store. Frederick of North Mankato describes her work as classic with a twist. She likes working with upholstery fabrics, vinyl and fake fur.

Kastl designs capes that she hand weaves on a loom. Her work will be showcased on models wearing all black. Each cape is reversible.

An art major from the College of St. Benedict, Kastl moved away from more traditional art studies when she discovered textiles. At MSU, she started creating with the loom when working toward her master’s. Her inspiration draws from summers she spent surrounded by birds, turtles and water.

Mercurio of Mankato completed coursework at the University of Wisconsin Stout last August and will be earning her degree this year. Mercurio has had experience working in the fashion worlds of New York and Los Angeles.

“I like combining unique fabrics together: high end luxurious fabrics with interesting textures or prints,” she said said.

Her contribution to the fashion show draws from her senior collection, which was inspired by a visit to Finland. “I create for the young sophisticate,” she said of her edgy designs.

Several of her garments imitate the onion domes she saw in Eastern Europe with interesting pyramid structures. One skirt uses a deep purple, heavy brocade fabric. Another piece is a black organza top made out of the same structures. The garments are paired with knit pieces, which work to make the pieces both artistic and wearable.

The designers will be working with advanced students from the Cosmetology Training Center of Mankato to do the models’ hair and makeup. Ashley Browning of the center said the students were excited about this opportunity because they have so much freedom to express their own creative style. Another student, Tim Schmidt, agreed, but noted that their goal is to create looks that don’t overpower the outfits.

The School of Art opened last June and has been conducting art classes for children and teenagers since the summer. The school’s main goal is to boost the art community in Mankato.

Ultimately, the directors would like the school, a non-profit organization, to become a co-op where members would have the opportunity to show in the gallery, participate in critique nights and come to model nights for life drawing classes.

“It would be something that they could belong to and feel that they’re part of a community,” Krohn said.