/ #memory dress 

René Trim’s Arts & Crafts: The Memory Dress Project

The purpose of a piece of clothing is normally to protect or to express a certain style; however, it can also have a deeper meaning by telling stories of our past. “The Memory Dress Project” is an art installation that will be covered with an estimated 500 small mixed media art pieces made by many contributors. Initiated by Ottawa artists Jill Dodd and Jane Hubbard, the Memory Dress Project celebrates the unique creativity of each participant and how we are influenced and changed by the individuals we meet throughout life and the memories we make. The Project will represent how we collect and wear these memories, how they alter us and they become part of the fabric of who we are and how we make art. Sometimes they are experiences of loss or difficulty and sometimes ones of joy or hope.  Individuals are invited to contribute small art pieces that will be attached to the Memory Dress until it is completely covered.

Memory dress

As you can tell from the photo, the first pieces have been attached to the dress but – with an estimated total of 500 miniature art pieces needed - it is time for you to make some art!








You can use whatever medium and materials you would like… felt, paper, stitch, canvas, fabric….you can draw, knit, embroider, crochet, paint with encaustics, acrylic, watercolour, ink, oil, …use found objects, photographs, altered book pages, paperclay, metal …write a poem or a song etc….as long as your creation is small and lightweight (approx 2-3 inches across)

[caption id=“attachment_16006” align=“aligncenter” width=“580”] Some of the stories that have already been added to the dress include an ode to Manitoulin Island where good times were spent (all the materials come from the island) and a small tile commemorating the children who died in Canada’s residential schools.

Some of the stories that have already been added to the dress include an ode to Manitoulin Island where good times were spent (all the materials come from the island) and a small tile commemorating the children who died in Canada’s residential schools.[/caption]

mem_dress_1

Apart from an art installation, The Memory Dress is also an art abandonment project. The dress will only be displayed once: on October 17th, 2015 at”
[
 Art in Fashion 613
](http://www.artinfashion613.com)
”, an evening of art, fashion, music, food and drinks, to be held at the Library & Archives Canada building on Wellington Street.








After this event, each small art piece, made by so many hands, will be removed from the dress. In the weeks following, each miniature piece of art will be abandoned for strangers to find and keep. Each memory, whether painful or joyous, will be let go and shared with whoever may find it and pick it up thus becoming part of their memory, part of their own unique fabric.








For more information on the project and how to participate in it, please visit the
[
 memorydressproject.com
](http://www.thememorydressproject.com/)








That’s it for now, I’ll be back next week with soanitoue “behind the scenes” shots and stories from the Rogers TV Studios as the OVCC will make an appearance to tell viewers all about the
[
 HOMEmade Sizzle
](http://www.ovccshow.com)
, Ottawa’s Hottest Crafter Event, that’s coming to the Hazeldean Mall on July 25 and 26. In the meantime, have a creative week, folks, and don’t forget to support local.

Author