Arts Council holds annual Fundraiser

Fashion show brings glamour, music, style

The seventh edition of the Lorain Arts Council’s Fashion Show Fundraiser brought lots of glamour, music and style to Black River Landing on March 25 in Lorain.

The theme for this year’s fundraiser was “Streets of Gold” and featured project models with women’s fashions designed by Cleveland-based designers Jonathan Anderson and Nelli Millard.

Lorain Arts Council president Antonio Barrios said this theme was chosen to celebrate and remember the inspiration that brought many immigrants to the area.

“Many immigrants who came to America in the 1800s heard: ‘Streets are paved with gold.’ They didn’t find gold, but they found opportunity. It was this hope that brought African Americans, Eastern Europeans, Mexicans and Puerto Ricans to Lorain,” Barrios wrote in a statement.

Barrios said he sees the “gold” in the free art course offerings and events that the Lorain Arts Council has been able to bring to Lorain.

Anderson presented his spring and summer collection called “Desire to Conquer.” Originally from Puerto Rico, Anderson has had his work showcased around the United States in New York, Los Angeles and Miami and recently celebrated his 25th year in the fashion industry.

Millard is a member of the sustainable fashion community in Portland,

Oregon. She creates and adopts an eco-chic mentality into wearable art and collection called “Morning Glory” brings conscious elegance into wearable art. Her collection was inspired by flowers from Japanese culture and many of the dresses came with handmade flowers on them created using recycled plastic bottles.

The event was emceed by Corrina Pysa morning anchor for Channel 5 News and entertainment was provided by Clevelandbased singer and model Karen Paz Labra.

After raising $10,000 at last year’s event, Barrios said the Arts Council has a fundraising goal of $15,000, which will allow it to continue to develop and support the arts in Lorain.

A portion of this year’s ticket sales were donated to Friendship Animal Protection League in Elyria.

KEVIN MARTIN — THE MORNING JOURNAL A model showcases one of Nelli Millard’s original designs from her “Morning Glory” collection at the Lorain Arts Council’s 7th Annual Fashion Show Fundraiser at Black River Landing on March 25.