Organizer Laura Jean Starkey invites artists and makers from all disciplines to take part in a large-scale, immersive exhibition titled The Tunic Show, taking place on August 1 at the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum in Almonte. This ambitious exhibition will bring together creators from all walks of life, each contributing a single, artist-designed tunic. The vision is to fill the museum hall with mannequins dressed in tunics that reflect the individuality, creativity, and stories of their makers, creating a powerful visual statement about the diversity of contemporary creative practice.
Artists of all kinds are encouraged to participate, including but not limited to potters, painters, photographers, embroiderers, knitters, crocheters, printers, assemblage artists, drawers, and carvers. The idea for the show grew out of a conversation between Laura Jean Starkey and Deborah Guthrie while discussing a project involving dyed and decorated tunics. From that moment came a larger inspiration: to create a space that showcases what artists can bring to life from nothing, using a shared form as a starting point.
In this exhibition, the tunic acts as the vessel, and the artist becomes the storyteller. There are intentionally very few rules. All tunics will be handmade by Laura Jean Starkey using linen or cotton; painters who prefer canvas may request a canvas tunic instead. Artists are free to alter, embellish, cut, stitch, paint, dye, print, or otherwise transform the tunic in any way they choose.
Registration Deadline
Registration is open until January 31, with limited spots available. Once registered, artists will receive their tunic on or just before the deadline, making this an ideal winter project. Finished tunics are due by July 15. Artists may register more than once and create multiple tunics, provided each piece includes its own registration and display fee.
Participants are asked to bring their finished tunic along with a mannequin or upright display to Almonte on August 1. For artists who are unable to attend in person, tunics may be mailed in and will be displayed on their behalf. Set-up will take place on the morning of the show.
Each tunic should include a display card with the artist’s name, price, and a short bio. Adding the story behind the tunic is highly encouraged. All tunics will be offered for sale during the exhibition, with pricing determined by the artist and 100 % of sales going directly to the creator. Tunics not for sale, or those sold prior to the show, will be marked with a red dot and will still be exhibited and eligible for awards.
The exhibition will include People’s Choice Awards, voted on by visitors during the show. Prizes include $1,000 for first place, $500 for second place, and $500 for third place, announced at the end of the event. If a tunic is unfinished by the deadline, it is still welcome and may be displayed as “under construction,” honouring the reality of creative life.
The registration fee is $100 per tunic, payable by e-transfer to laurajeanstarkey@yahoo.ca or online at <lauras-shop.square.site>. The fee includes the handmade tunic, exhibition participation, promotion, vernissage, Instagram promotion, posters, a show brochure, and food and wine at the event.
Artists are encouraged to share this call widely. Questions may be directed to Laura Jean Starkey by email.