Signs of Life
The Taos News 04/30/2009, Page C01
Text and Photographs by Tina Larkin
CREATIVE SELF-EXPRESSION
You were a lucky fan of the arts if you managed to catch Wednesday (April 22) night’s Signs of Life — a mixture of “upcycled fashion,” spoken word, jujitsu demo, music and art — at Taos Art Plaza, a gallery and performance space located on Paseo del Pueblo Sur.
Chamisa Mesa High School art students left audience members, myself included, in awe and, perhaps just speaking for myself, a little envious.
I remember high school being awkward, a place to experiment and challenge most everything. But, I can’t remember any teachers celebrating my or any other student’s raw self-expression and offering an environment for it to bloom — as Chamisa Mesa High School officials, teachers and especially art teacher Katie Woodall did for her small class of glam-trash fashioners.
It’s amazing what a handful of needles, a few sewing machines, eight armfuls of laundry mishaps and some helpful hands from the Seco Pearl Artisans Boutique and Art for the Heart can get you.
From left, Chamisa Mesa High School art students Maggie Carson, 15, and Dylan Smith, 15, head back to the changing room at Taos Art Plaza during Wednesday (April 22) night’s Signs of Life “upcycled” fashion show.
Student Ayeen Telopa, 17, makes her way through the crowd during the fashion show.
Left: “Upcycled” fashion show set list, Signs of Life.Student Adeliza Pace, 15, waits in the doorway of the dressing room for her cue to walk out.
Chamisa Mesa High School art student Adeliza Pace, 15, pictuered in the dressing room during the Signs of Life upcycled fashion show Wednesday (April 22) at Taos Art Plaza.