Victoria Adams of Federal Way has been selected by a panel of jurors to participate in the RAGS Wearable Art Show and Sale.
The 22nd annual RAGS Wearable Art sale and gallery competition will take place March 10-13 at Larson Mercedes-Benz of Tacoma in Fife.
In the last 21 years RAGS has raised $1,402,000 for the YWCA Pierce County’s life-saving domestic violence services and plans to bring the 22 year total to over $1.5 million with the 2016 event. The RAGS Guild continues to build this event because the need for services for victims of abuse continues to grow.
Creative clothing, fashion accessories and unusual jewelry from more than 70 artists of local, regional and national acclaim will be for sale at the boutique-style show. A third of each RAGS artist’s sales benefit the YWCA’s domestic violence prevention and intervention programs.
Many RAGS artists come from the Puget Sound area, and artists from around the country also display and sell their work at RAGS. Months before the show, the all-volunteer guild solicits regional individuals and businesses for monetary and in-kind donations to defray show expenses and supplement RAGS’s contribution to the YWCA. As a result, nearly 100 percent of RAGS proceeds go directly to the YWCA.
The blend of art, fashion, shopping and fundraising is what makes RAGS significant to its many loyal supporters, according to Susan Boynton, RAGS chair. “RAGS draws on passions that run deep among shoppers, artists and volunteers,” Boynton said. “Domestic violence is an all too familiar issue in our community. Whether directly or indirectly, we likely know someone affected by abuse. Those who participate in the annual RAGS event believe that it is important to fund programs offering hope to families affected by domestic violence. And when that opportunity is combined with shopping for unique wearable fashions, people find that it’s a fun way to support an organization that is saving lives in our community.”
“The RAGS show offers variety in every price range,” Boynton said. “From artistic, affordable beaded bracelets and whimsical accessories, to luxurious hand-woven garments and unique gold, silver or precious stone jewelry.”
Besides its boutique-style marketplace sale, RAGS also features a gallery style competition of one-of-a-kind garments, accessories and jewelry. Judged by well known names in the arts community, the winners in several categories earn cash awards. Some of these special works are for sale, giving shoppers the opportunity to own an award-winning piece of wearable art.
The RAGS show is open to the public at no charge at Larson Mercedes-Benz of Tacoma, 1701 Alexander Ave. E., Fife, just off I-5.
Show hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 11-12 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 13.
The weekend begins with a ticketed gala preview event Thursday, March 10. The gala ticket price is $70 and tickets may be purchased at RAGSWearableArt.org. Also available for purchase at the website are RAGS gift certificates in any denomination.
