spoolPeninsula Wearable Art Guild’s 2020 Scholarships: Josie Harris and Lina Egutkina

Josie Harris and Lina Egutkina are the winners of the Peninsula Wearable Arts Guild 2020 Scholarship. The award is given annually to two students who best demonstrate creativity, technical skill, and dedication to wearable art, fashion and design. This year’s winners reflect two different styles of wearable art: the avant garde and the fashionable.

Josie Harris, a freshman at West Valley Community College, will receive $1,000. Josie’s submissions reflect her commitment to creative reuse and love for making art out of materials that others would consider trash. Her interest in wearable art was sparked in the sixth grade when she took a multimedia art class taught by notable Santa Cruz artist and teacher, Kathleen Crocetti. Josie’s first piece was a Greek toga she made out of packing popcorn.

PenWAG Scholarship Committee members were wowed by Josie’s creativity, use of color, workmanship, and sense of whimsy.

The Devil Awakens

Josie Harris’ The Devil Awakens

Josie Harris’ The Devil Awakens is made from disposable coffee cups.

American Gothic

Josie Harris’ American Gothic, modeled by Vigilant Sutherlin

Josie Harris’ American Gothic, modeled by Vigilant Sutherlin, is made of shotgun casings, handgun casings, and string.

Bark

Josie Harris’ Bark

Josie Harris’ Bark is made out of organic natural materials.

 

Lina Egutkina, a fashion design student at both West Valley and Canada Community Colleges, will receive $500. As showcased in her winning designs, Lina loves experimenting with fabric manipulation, draping, and embellishment. Scholarship Committee members liked the elegant and interesting designs Lina submitted for review that reflected the wide range of techniques she utilizes in her work.

SIde-Draped Little Black Dress

Lina Egutkina’s Little Black Dress

Lina Egutkina’s Little Black Dress

Black and White Skirt

Lina Egutkina’s black and white skirt.

Lina Egutkina’s black and white skirt.

PenWAG Scholarship Committee members Sarah Bunje, Gretta Csatho, and Jessica Fiske Bailey reviewed applications submitted from students from three local fashion design programs (Canada, West Valley, and San Francisco City Colleges). Committee members noted that this year’s applications showed a high degree of craftsmanship and design ability.

Besides a cash award, scholarship recipients receive a year’s subscription to PenWAG and the opportunity to showcase their winning garments at PenWAG’s 2021 ArtWear Fashion Show.