ScrapFest returns in style

ScrapFest 12, the repurpose-focused art festival, returns to the streets of Old Town this weekend with a scrap metal sculpture competition, eco-art booths, live music and family activities. But a stylish new addition to this year’s roster is the ReFashion Show, which takes over the Music Stage Friday evening.  

Jessy Gregg, owner of Seams Sewing and Mercantile in East Lansing, has been involved in the behind-the-scenes organizing of the first-ever ReFashion Show, alongside local artists Sarah Williams of SarahJean Sews and Cat Weaver. Ever since opening her fabric store three years ago, Gregg said she has been looking for potential collaborations.  

“Textile waste is a huge problem globally, and partnering with ScrapFest seemed like a perfect forum to highlight the problem while also showcasing our local maker community,” Gregg said. “Our goal for this first year is to showcase some local artists and to expand the definition of ‘scrap’ in regards to ScrapFest. We have a lot of interest in the idea, and we've got about 10 artists committed to showing their work. For a first effort, I think it's going to be great.”  

“Hopefully this will help start a local conversation about the waste in the textile supply stream and we'll be able to come back bigger and better next year,” she added. 

The ReFashion Show will feature artist introductions, information about the materials used and a “walk-on-spin-walk-off-situation,” Gregg said. 

Participating artists and designers were given simple requirements: to “use 80% of recycled/ reclaimed/reused/upcycled” textiles for their projects. Some artists are transforming old, stained furniture factory fabric into a jacket, others are creating jumpsuits from dated curtains and various other clutter found around the house — objects destined for the trash bin. 

Danielle Jenson, Seams’ event coordinator, said she hopes events like this can bring awareness, excitement and become annual traditions.  

“I am astounded with the talent and source of materials you can find right in Michigan,” Jenson said. “Whether it’s local wool, pattern designers, slow fashion or other creative textile work, there are options to choose from.” 

Katie Deska, education coordinator at the MSU Surplus Store & Recycling Center, said the center hosted a drop-in Spartan Upcycle event allowing people to make wearable art for the ReFashion Show. Participants used discarded materials like buckets, tubs, bicycle wheels, bowls, screws, wire, film reels and canisters to embellish hats.  

Deska said these events encourage people to look around and see possibilities that exist with what’s already surrounding us.  

“One of my favorite things about upcycling or repurposing scrap objects and materials is that I don’t feel so much pressure to make it ‘good,’” Deska said. “Since I’m not so afraid of failing or falling short, then I’m more willing to go ahead and just try to create something.” 

The ReFashion show will operate as more of a showcase rather than a competition, and is open to anyone, regardless of experience, Deska said.  

“One reason I think events like this are important is because they can get people who may not think of themselves as artists or makers to find that creativity that’s in all of us, and just have fun with it,” she said.