Refashion Bash showcases recycled art, fashion
Recycle Saline will hold its annual Refashion Bash starting at 6 p.m. April 24 at the Benton Event Center.
Doors will open at 5 p.m.
“It opens it up for so many other thoughts, ideas about recycling,” said Recycle Saline Executive Director Tiffany Dunn.
The event features a recycling art show along with with the recycled fashion show.
The Recycled Art contest will include art from the winners of the contest at Springhill Elementary School, Bryant Middle School, Bryant Junior High
School, Bauxite Middle School and Hurricane Creek Elementary School.
“It adds an additional piece to think about with recycling and reuse,” Dunn said about the art contest.
She feels it shows what else can be done with recycled materials.
Those in attendance will be able to vote on their favorite art piece. The overall winner of the contest will win a $100 Visa gift card. The winner will be announced that night.
All the contested have been invited to attend.
Dunn will also honor the Youth
Environmental Ambassador, known as the YEA! Team, student of the year and youth of the year. The YEA! teacher of the year is Amber Chastain, of Harmony Grove Middle School. YEA! student of the year is Bauxite High School Senior Preston Caviness.
Tuesday Melton will be awarded a $1,500 scholarship. Dunn said Melton has been YEA! Since the ninth grade.
Dunn said the YEA! Team puts on their schools’ recycling program.
For this year’s fashion show, 22 students have entered 16 designs.
Before the fashion show, special guest judges will view the designs and select the winners.
This year’s judges are Tierney Earnest, 2019 high school category winner;
Kate Logan, general manager of Republic Services; Linda Smith, of the Central Arkansas Development Council; Jennifer West, of Keep Bryant Beautiful; Mickey Perez, of Keep Bryant Beautiful; and
Hunter Shelle, with Recycle Saline.
The winners in the two categories will be announced at the end of the show. The categories will be divided between kindergarten through fifth grade and sixth through eighth grade. First place in each category will take home $500, second place $300 and third place $100.
During the fashion show portion, Urban Image Apparel & Accessories will present its spring and summer collection.
Dunn’s co-producer and backstage manager is William Alverio, a Bryant High School senior who is involved with theater and choir.
The theme for this year’s Refashion Bash is Around the World.
Dunn said the goal of the theme is to bring people together and represent different cultures and fashion around the world.
She has already seen the designs, and thinks they are good.
“They are super cute,” she said.
Each individual or group created looks based on what the theme means to them. There is one that looks like the Statue of Liberty and another meant to look like the queen of England.
All designs have to be at least 80 percent recycled. They must include two of the required items, either aluminum, cardboard, plastic, paper or metal.
Dunn feels the Refashion Bash is important because it not only gives the community a fun event, but because it educational about what can be done with recycling.
For the students, Dunn said it is a chance to learn and create memories.
This is the sixth year for the event. Recycle Saline had to cancel it last year due to the pandemic.
Rebecca Davis, midday host for Alice 107.7, will serve as the event’s emcee. Moose, also with Alice, be the disc jockey.
Admission to the Refashion Bash is free this year because Dunn wanted to ensure more people had the opportunity to attend.
“Come out and support our kids who worked hard to create designs,” Dunn said.