ARTeries by Stina

ARTeriographic:

BEHIND THE SEAMS OF A RENEGADE FASHION SHOW

Who: Over three enlightening weeks in July 2011, a batch of photo shoots took place around Asheville, NC in which four women artists wove a storied tapestry of the process of fashion design and documented their journey:

Stina Andersen, Renegade Seamstress. Since establishing her upcycled clothing label, ARTeries by Stina, in 2007, this self-taught fashion designer has maintained a professional working studio in the historic River Arts District. Newly relocated in Wedge Studios, her design house can be found in a shared space known as The Fashion Sewing Studio & Boutique. At her studio, she offers affordable fashion design workshops and monthly sewing classes to the community. Stina presents her latest collection, ARTeriographic, a collection of new designer fabric prints and designs presented in collaboration with her studio mate, designer Kristina Benshoff of Provocation Designs in their multi-media show Immersion: A Fashionable Experience. Visit: www.arteriesbystina.com.

Bevin Coffee, Photographer. With her digital work, Bevin celebrates human personality and meaning as expressed through various stages of life. Inspired by stories of common subjects, her photographs celebrate the triumphs and translations of everyday worlds. Capturing milestones as well as exquisite moments many take for granted, she creates lifestyle portraits which reveal her passion for holding ordinary beauty up to the light. A nationally featured photographer, Bevin holds a BFA in Photography and Digital Imagery from Shepherd University and resides in Asheville, NC where she also specializes in wedding and child photography. Her website is:  www.bevincoffee.com.

Melinda Tennison, Creative Writer. Addressing the transformational process of healing in her writing, Melinda traces the intimate conflict between reality and human aspirations and displacement of human emotions. As an advocate for the power of art to heal, she serves as contributing columnist to New Horizons, the cultural enrichment program for patients at Children's Hospital National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Now based in Asheville, NC, Melinda also designs and facilitates expressive writing workshops for children and teens in conjunction with popular community events, most recently at Asheville Wordfest 2011. For more info: www.melindatennison.com.

Cindy Bowen, Model featured as Gaia.For 15 years Cindy has helped clients connect with nature through her popular practice of energy healing in the forms of Reiki, Reconnective Healing and The Reconnection. Her innate gift for incorporating and heightened awareness of nature supports all her practices. By exploring personal life, work, energy, art, yoga, poetry or emotional transformation, she guides Asheville clients to seek nature for needed wisdom and support. Her award-winning children’s book Playing with Gaia helps children of all ages learn to play with the ever present energy of life in Mother Earth. Learn more: http://www.gratefulsteps.com/PlayingWithGaia.

What: Local designer Stina Andersen reveals the enchanted, visionary process behind her upcycled clothing line, ARTeries by Stina. Passionate about making contributions to culture through fashion that has something to say, the designer leads us on a charming journey through her creative process from inspiration to presentation. Stina shows us the layered benefits of embracing a funky, recession-friendly trend that celebrates Gaia. With a philosophy that redesigns what’s left behind to create a healthy future, she gives us fashions that bring us into harmony with our nature. In this behind-the-scenes peek at the making of her latest collection, ARTeriographic, the designer shares her heartfelt enthusiasm for real-world beauty and produces imaginative clothes that celebrate one-of-a-kind style.

When: Runway Show and Reception 6-9PM., Saturday, August 6 followed by month-long Documentary Exhibit.

Where: The Artery, 346 Depot Street in the historic River Arts District, Asheville; Details:  http://ashevillearts.com 

Why: Stina Andersen designs from salvaged materials to preserve stories of women and redefine beauty.