"Letting the Good Times Roll" at Fashion with a Cause

Photos courtesy of Terrence Adams Photography.
See link at the end of this post for videos from the event.

We decided to “let the good times roll” during our third annual “Fashion with a Cause” at the Chatom Community Center on Saturday, June 17. The sellout event highlighted the work of local non-profit ECI, the Educational Center for Independence, and raised $4,500 to benefit the agency’s programs.

Approximately 60 other models from Washington, Choctaw, and Mobile counties to participated in the event.

We have received so many comments from attendees that this was our best "Fashion with a Cause" yet. Adorable kids, trendy teens, and the fun of Mardi Gras made this a night to remember. We extend thanks to our models and their families, the Town of Chatom, and numerous volunteers for partnering with us to promote such a worthy cause.

State funding for agencies like ECI is continuing to decrease, yet ECI strives to provide the same level of service to the men and women they support. As funding tightens, we are happy to be able to help offset a bit of that burden through this event. ECI provides services and supports to local adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They are a valuable part of our community; however, many don’t know the full impact of their work. "Fashion with a Cause" gave ECI a platform to share their message with a new audience. In the coming years, we plan to spotlight other causes and area non-profits.

The event included three fashion shows: a children’s show featuring summer styles for kids; a teen show, showcasing personal style; and the finale highlighting Mardi Gras parade costumes, ball attire, and royal regalia as a nod to the 10th anniversary of the Town of Chatom’s Mardi Gras parade.

We’ve focused on human trafficking in the past. This year, we’re thrilled to highlight an outstanding local non-profit who is making a difference right here at home.

Emcees included Steve Jenks of Bama 106.1 radio station and his wife Rebekah. Guest speakers included Jessica Odom, ECI’s executive director, and C. Robert Montgomery, chairman of ECI’s Board of Directors, as well as Trip Moss, who shared how ECI has been a blessing to his daughter Taylor and their family.

Donations are still being accepted. If anyone would like to contribute to the worthy case, he or she can contact the Wilcox Gallery at 251-847-2218 or wilcoxgallery@gmail.com.

The next FWAC event is tentatively scheduled for March 24, 2018. Our cause will be with another outstanding local organization, Hope Outdoors. Founded in Chatom in 2006, it now boasts over 12 chapters in 7 states who work to give children and adults with special needs amazing experiences in the outdoors by making hunting and fishing accessible regardless of disability.

Check out VIDEOS on our Facebook page - Fashion with a Cause Videos

Fashion with a Cause a great success

It was standing room only at the Chatom Community Center on Saturday, June 6, as the Wilcox Foundation & Gallery hosted "Fashion with a Cause," an event to foster awareness of human trafficking in Alabama.

Over 60 models from a five county area in Alabama took to the runway to showcase current and vintage couture fashions in an event that raised over $5,000 for anti-human trafficking agencies Hope Haven, Stella’s Voice, and the WMU Foundation’s Hayes Endowment.

"Our first 'Fashion with a Cause' was a great success. This event was birthed out of a desire the Wilcox Gallery had to raise awareness of how human traffickers are targeting young girls/boys. Our hope was that attendees would hear the messages from our guest speakers and leave with more information about this epidemic and that it would help them protect their loved ones from falling victim to traffickers. We chose to combine this cause with a fashion show, because it was a great platform to boost the self-esteem of those involved. Each girl/boy in the show was able to showcase their personal style on the runway and had a great time doing it,” said Alicia Atcheson, executive director of the Wilcox Gallery.

Fashion blogger/stylist, Morrell Turner of Chatom, coordinated the three fashion shows in the event: a Summer Style Show featuring children’s fashion; an Elegant Evenings Show, showcasing formal gowns from Angela’s Formal Wear; and a Vintage Couture Show, highlighting 50’s and 60’s couture pieces previously worn by the late Edith Wilcox of Chatom and two pieces previously worn by Vivian Beech and Dot Stryker, both of Chatom.

“We are thankful for the numerous volunteers who partnered with us to make this night happen: our models and their parents, Morrell Turner, Angela's Formal Wear, hair stylists and make-up artists, members of our very own paparazzi, and numerous others. We look forward to hosting "Fashion with a Cause" again in the future," said Atcheson.

The Wilcox Gallery is still accepting donations to help fight human trafficking. Those interested in making a contribution can contact the Gallery at 847-2218 or wilcoxgallery@gmail.com.

For more photos from the event, visit  www.facebook.com/wilcoxfoundationandgallery.

Creative Canvas Workshops a big hit at local schools

A combined total of 245 third and fourth graders at Chatom Elementary School, Fruitdale High School, and Millry High School had the opportunity to learn painting techniques from visiting artist Rianna Freeman Turner, courtesy of the Wilcox Foundation and Gallery.

During the “Creative Canvas Workshop,” students received step-by-step instruction from the visiting artist and created their own 8x10 masterpiece, “Magical Dragonfly.”

Earlier this year, the Wilcox Foundation hosted classes at Leroy High School and McIntosh Elementary School with Turner.

In addition to the workshops at the schools, the Foundation also hosted a class for teens and adults on May 1 at Chatom Elementary School. During the three hour class called “Stroke of Genius, Palette Knife Edition,” attendees used palette knives to paint a 24x30 canvas, “Wilcox Pear,” under the direction of the artist.

The Wilcox Gallery also hosted an art show on May 2, featuring the works of artist Rianna Freeman Turner.

One of the goals of the Wilcox Foundation, created by the late Edith Jordan Wilcox, is to promote the arts in Washington County.

“In promoting the arts, one of our objectives is to provide hands-on learning opportunities. This year, we were able to do that for 400 local school children through the Creative Canvas Workshop and over 50 teens and adults through Stroke of Genius,” said Alicia Atcheson, executive director of the Wilcox Gallery.

The Creative Canvas Workshop series was underwritten by the Wilcox Foundation and the following sponsors: BASF, Olin, Huntsman, First Community Bank, Clarke-Washington EMC, and Andrew’s Hardware.

Local students & adults participate in Creative Canvas Workshop & Stroke of Genius

A combined total of 163 third and fourth graders at McIntosh Elementary and Leroy High School had the opportunity to learn painting techniques from visiting artist Rianna Freeman Turner, courtesy of the Wilcox Foundation and Gallery in Chatom.

During the “Creative Canvas Workshop,” students received step-by-step instruction from the visiting artist and created their own 8x10 masterpiece, “Franky the Frog.”

The Wilcox Foundation will bring the artist back in the Spring to teach classes at Chatom Elementary, Fruitdale High, and Millry High School.

In addition to the workshops at the schools, the Foundation also hosted a class for adults on Saturday, Feb 21 at the Bailey Construction Building in Wagarville. During the two and a half hour class called “Stroke of Genius,” attendees painted a frame-worthy 11x14 canvas, “Blue Hydrangeas,” under the direction of the artist.

One of the goals of the Wilcox Foundation, created by the late Edith Jordan Wilcox, is to promote the arts in Washington County.

“We are thrilled that we were able to provide a hands-on learning experience for students and adults across our county. We are looking forward to taking this program to the other schools in April,” said Alicia Atcheson, executive director of the Wilcox Gallery.

Festival of Trees fundraiser was a great success

The Festival of Trees Gala was a glamorous, exciting, and philanthropic live benefit auction where fully decorated Christmas trees were auctioned off and later delivered to the winner’s home, office, or other location of their choice. Trees were decorated by tree sponsors--local businesses, organizations, families, and even individuals. Some trees were decorated more traditionally with ornaments, ribbons, and bows. Others were ornamented with more unconventional fare like tools and sporting goods memorabilia. In addition to the live auction, guests had the opportunity to bid on wreaths designed and donated by local individuals and businesses, as well as other Christmas items, during a silent auction.

At the event catered by the Gourmet Girls, guests also enjoyed special performances by world-renowned pianist and Steinway artist Kadisha Onalbayeva, composer/pianist Mike Coleman, as well as vocalist Alicia Morris Atcheson.

The event was sponsored by Long Leaf Land & Timber, BASF, Olin, and Andrew's Hardware. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Wilcox Foundation’s mission of promoting the arts and education in Washington County through community events in 2015.

FREE Concert with the Andrew Duhon Trio

Join us on Saturday, November 1st, for a FREE concert with the Andrew Duhon Trio at the Wilcox Gallery.

Described by some as a young Dylan with both his melancholy and sincerity, this Grammy nominated New Orleans native has a unique sound and story to tell. As a Blues & Folk influenced singer/songwriter, Duhon shares his love of American History, it’s struggles, triumphs, and impulses through his music. Duhon brings his audience into the most intimate of spaces through his storytelling.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with the concert beginning at 7 p.m. Concessions will be available for purchase. Bring your favorite chair or blanket and enjoy this outdoor concert at the Wilcox Gallery.

Photos from the concert with Kadisha Onalbayeva

Individuals from across Washington County enjoyed an afternoon concert on June 22 with world renowned pianist and Steinway artist Dr. Kadisha Onalbayeva, a native of Kazakhstan. The free event, hosted by the Wilcox Foundation in memory of its founder Edith Jordan Wilcox, drew over 100 individuals to Millry Baptist Church. Onalbayeva performed familiar classical pieces including "Rhapsody in Blue" and "Clair de Lune", among others, as well as traditional hymns, "Near the Cross" and "Amazing Grace".
 

Concert Program

Photos from the Creative Canvas Workshop

Nearly 150 third and fourth grade students at Chatom Elementary School participated in the Wilcox Foundation's inaugural "Creative Canvas Workshop" with artist Rianna Freeman Turner. Each student received step-by-step instruction from the artist and went home with their own 8x10 masterpiece of "Freddy the Funny, Frowny Face Fiesta Fish."

We had such a great time at CES and are looking forward to taking this program to each school in the county.

Photos from Missions Masterpiece

Over $800 was raised for the WMU Foundation during the Wilcox Foundation's Missions Masterpiece event. Artist Rianna Freeman Turner guided participants in painting an 11x14 canvas,  "Reflections of the Master Artist".