TextileArts news and re:views

Bags2Riches 2008 is the 3rd annual handbag competition to prevent homelessness.

The brief is to create an original handbag to be eligible to win the "The Most Original Handbag Award" with Grand Prize Package. The deadline for entries is August 20, 2008.

The judges will select 10 finalists, with selection criteria including originality, unique design elements, and quality of workmanship. The finalists will be highlighted in a fashion show at the Artsgarden in downtown Indianapolis on Wednesday, October 8 2008, between 11am and 2pm. The Grand Prize winner will be determined by the most purchased votes, and each of the ten final handbags will go home with a lucky voter.

Bags not chosen to be a finalist will be sold or auctioned, with the proceeds benefiting Trusted Partners' efforts to prevent homelessness in Indianapolis. Trusted Partners is an organisation that matches volunteer mentors with families and individuals in homeless prevention programmes to increase the number of people who remain housed.

For an entry form and more information, go to www.bags2richesindy.org.

Bias and The Works Festival Of Art And Design, Alberta, Canada, are looking for people to participate in a fashion/art project.

Each participant will receive an identical kit that contains a selection of fabrics, notions, and some surprises. Participants then have one month to transform these raw materials in to a garment or work of art.

The deadline to sign up is Tuesday, March 20th, 2007. There is a fee of $30.00 to participate in the project, to cover the cost of the materials you are given.

Find out more and see pictures from previous Consistent Variable Projects at www.myspace.com/biasalberta

Download the Call for Participation (PDF).