First NIAD Art Center fashion show wows audience

By Globe Staff

Last Thursday NIAD Art Center artists took to the runway to model their creations during the organization’s first-ever fashion show.

    The event drew a standingroom- only audience of artists, collectors, friends and family who cheered as the artists proudly flaunted their creations.
    For months NIAD artists had prepared for the event by designing and embellishing oneof- a-kind t-shirts, hats, jeans, skirts, hats and shoes.
    Moderating the show was Globe Associate Publisher and NIAD board member Eleanor Boswell-Raine, who appeared on the catwalk wearing NIAD creations by Susan Wise and Beverly “Bubba” Trieber.
    After the show, guests had the opportunity to purchase art in the NIAD gift shop and to sample sweets prepared by Galaxy Deserts of Richmond.
    NIAD Executive Director Pat Coleman said she was pleased with the event. “It took everyone at NIAD working together to orchestrate our fashion show,” she said. “I am so proud of our artists, our never-weary staff and all the volunteers and families who made this show possible.”
    The National Institute of Art & Disabilities (NIAD) promotes creativity, independence, dignity and community integration for people with developmental and other disabilities.
    NIAD offers art classes five days a week, six hours per day. The student artists learn drawing and painting, printmaking, ceramics, textile arts, jewelry design and sculpture under the guidance of professional artists. It also provides weekly classes in independent living skills taught by a professional in the field. The curriculum includes advocacy, interpersonal social skills, money management, mobility training, self care and culinary arts.
    For more information, contact Brian Stechschulte at brian@niadart.org
or (510) 620- 0290.