Those who were downtown Saturday for the Starry Night Studio and Gallery Tour saw many kinds of art, but none quite like the models for the upcoming Somniatis III Wearable Art Show.
Initiated by Ruth Germain in 2015, the artistic director reins have been handed over to Tammy Dore.
In its first year, the wearable art show had 40 models. That number more than doubled for the second show. This year, there will be almost 40 people modelling the creative outfits.
“It’s open to what people want to do, and we wanted to keep it that way,” said Ron Hill, Dore’s husband and a photographer for Somniatis, speaking about why there is no theme for the show.
Dore and Hill got involved with Somniatis when Germain debuted it in Orillia, when she moved here after doing a similar show in Windsor. Dore took an artistic approach to hairdressing, so she and Hill were immediately interested in the endeavour.
Somniatis makes one thing clear: “You don’t need to be a fashion designer in order to make clothes,” Hill said. “You just need to be an artist.”
Nineteen designers/artists are taking part in this year’s show, which will be presented Oct. 27 from 7 to 10 p.m. at St. Paul’s Centre. It will include live music and dance.
With so many forms of art on display in Orillia, Hill was asked what makes a show like Somniatis important.
“It’s not something you’re probably ever going to see while walking down the street,” he said.
The show is important for the hospital, too. All money raised, after expenses are paid, will go toward mental health services at Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital.
Tickets cost $40 in advance, $40 at the door. They can be purchased in advance at Fashion Therapy, Studio Eleven and Shadows Salon.
More information is available here.
