Project Runway is booming.
The ArtPlace Mississippi sewing program, which is based in Greenwood, kicked off in 2014 with a handful of students. This year, the program drew 85 applications from students who attend 15 different schools in and around Leflore County.
Sixty-one completed the program, and most of those will participate Tuesday in a Project Runway fashion show at Episcopal Church of the Nativity in downtown Greenwood. The show will start at 6 p.m. Everyone is invited.
“I honestly feel we are barely scratching the surface with our program,” said sewing instructor Yolande van Heerden, who has taught six classes per week for six weeks. “We have so many more students who would like to join in this program.”
The program is free to anyone who registers, and raising money to make it possible is one of the many tasks van Heerden and ArtPlace’s executive director, Sarah Iwanski, have taken on this year.
Students are selling raffle tickets for cash prizes to be given away at Tuesday’s show, and the top seller will win a special prize.
“Despite the wonderful generosity of many individual donors, we are still working on 100 percent funding for the current workshops,” van Heerden said. “Our students are working hard on fundraising, and we have reached out to many local businesses.”
ArtPlace has been seeking more potential corporate and private sponsors, and also hopes to see the students’ work become eligible for an arts credit in school.
On a recent afternoon, one of van Heerden’s classes was in full swing, with students all at different points in preparing their garments for the show. Over the last weeks, they have learned to decipher a pattern, how to cut fabric and sew seams, how to put in a zipper, how to thread and use a sewing machine, and much more.
Nyla Garrett, an eighth grader from Amanda Elzy, had completed her red jumper and was working on a zipper bag to accessorize it. Alison Crockett, a ninth grader from Winona, was still laying out pattern pieces on butter yellow fabric, cutting and pinning, while a group on machines worked on putting in seams, hemming and edging.
Van Heerden moved constantly through the complex of rooms, calling out instructions:
“Carry a pin cushion with you at all times.”
“Put your phone away, please.”
“This is the back of your garment. Do you know why? So you have more room for your booty.”
“Sew it all around the crease but be careful.”
In the background, soothing world music played. Around the room, colorful skirts, dresses, rompers, tops and tunics hung in various stages of completion.
Beyond learning to sew, students learn other practical life skills, according to van Heerden.
“They learn problem solving and patience. They interact with a broad range of students from all over the county and different schools, from different age groups,” she said.
“They have to focus. And this is something they do entirely for themselves. There is no grading or test, just making your garment and enjoying the company of other students.”
Van Heerden’s hope is that students can connect the work they do in class at ArtPlace with potential career paths, and at least one student has made that connection.
Kyria Cooper, who recently graduated from Amanda Elzy High School, tended to the long, flowing tunic she’ll wear in the show.
“I’ve been going here since 10th grade,” Cooper said. “I always just liked being creative.”
Last year, during the program, van Heerden took a group of ArtPlace students to Delta State University to visit the school’s fashion merchandising program, and Cooper said that experience lit a fire under her.
“The students there had designed their own clothes, and they were working in this big old huge room. I thought, this is something I’m really interested in, that I can see doing for a career.”
Cooper will start classes at Delta State in the fall, majoring in the fashion merchandising program, and hopes to one day design and construct wedding gowns and prom dresses for her own business.
“It’s going to be a great fashion show,” van Heerden said. “Everyone is welcome to join and support our awesome students.”
To buy a raffle ticket, drop by ArtPlace at 212 W. Washington St. The top prize is $500. To learn more about the Project Runway program or to discuss a business or organizational partnership, contact van Heerden at 299-6790.
• Contact Kathryn Eastburn at 581-7235 or keastburn@gwcommonwealth.com.
