Representing Fashion Design as Art at the Valley Art Association’s 2023 Art Scholarship Fund Exhibition

Valley Art Association 2023 Art Scholarship Fund Exhibition. This year's exhibition was held at the Gene Bianchi Community Center located on 2nd Avenue in Oakdale, California. February 23rd-26th

This past weekend Valley Art Association, an organization promoting art since 1972, held their annual Art Scholarship Exhibition at the Bianchi Community Center in Oakdale, California. 

Leading up to this event, local artist in the region were invited to participate in the art exhibition by submitting their artworks and entry fees prior to the showing. Valley Art Association uses this annual event to raise funds for their scholarship program that is awarded to students studying art within the community. 

After contacting Valley Art Association directly, I was happily informed that my fashion designs, as well as fashion illustrations, would be warmly welcomed! 

Valley Art Association's Call to Artist Flyer distributed locally and online.

I quickly gathered up my favorite recent artworks, along with my artsy husband, Javier Rangel, and we began to prepare the work we wanted to showcase for our submission...

When thinking about my past art projects, I wanted to showcase my personal favorites. For this exhibition, I chose a series of Ink Illustrations that I created, as well as two outfits that I designed, constructed, and hand embellished.

The Art Exhibit Begins! 

On Thursday, February 23rd, Javi and I, along with all of the other participating artists, dropped off our artworks at the Bianchi Community Center in Downtown Oakdale. The representatives from VAA (Valley Art Association) were so welcoming and friendly! They expressed such enthusiasm for my fashion design work, and were genuinely pleased to be showcasing fashion art here! 

The following evening, Friday, February 24th, from 5pm to 7pm, the Opening Night of the exhibit, with 101 pieces of artwork displayed for public viewing began. That same evening, The City of Oakdale hosted a 3rd Street Grand Opening Celebration to commence the completion of Downtown Oakdale's 3rd Street Renovation Project. 

The City Of Oakdale’s 3rd Street Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. February 24th, 2023. Photo: Courtesy of Kayleigh Gilbert.

Rain poured steadily from the cloudy skies, as the local townsfolk of Oakdale gathered together for the 3rd Street Grand Opening, with Mayor Cherilyn Bairos "Cutting the Ribbon" marking the symbolic opening of the new beautifully cobbled stoned road.

​The Bianchi Community Center is just a block away from 3rd Street, making this event a perfect evening for shopping and dining, followed by a rainy-evening stroll to The Valley Art Association's Art Scholarship Fund Exhibition! Which is exactly what myself and my family did! 

It was quite fun seeing my work, and my husbands, displayed amongst such talented local artists at the art show! 

Fashion Illustration: Shoes!

One of the artworks I presented during this exhibit is a framed series of ink illustrations, the subject of my drawings... Fashion Shoes! 

I created these drawings by looking at advertisements in past issues of Vogue Magazine. I really enjoyed the challenge of capturing the intricate design details of these shoes, by using  fashion illustration and technical flat illustration techniques! All of these drawings were hand-drafted in pencil and then inked with a Copic Multi-Liner Ink Set. 

Here I am with my framed Fashion Shoe Illustrations at the Valley Art Association Annual Scholarship Exhibition on the opening night of the exhibit: 

Fashion Shoe Illustrations (Ink Drawings) with artist, Roxanne Rodriguez Rangel. Valley Art Association Annual Scholarship Exhibition Fund 2023.

Check out these non-reflective, scanned, close up images of my illustrations:

Fashion Shoe Illustrations (Ink Drawings) by Roxanne Rodriguez Rangel. Valley Art Association Annual Scholarship Exhibition Fund 2023.

Representing Fashion Design in Fiber Arts

Fashion Designer, Roxanne Rodriguez Rangel with her original fashion designs: a Hand-Painted Floral Day Dress, a Hand-Beaded Parthenon High-Waisted Skirt and a Satin Crepe Drop Sleeve Blouse. Valley Art Association Annual Scholarship Fund Exhibition, 2023.

In addition to my illustrations, I selected two of my favorite fashion designs to showcase: my Hand-Painted Floral Day Dress and my hand-beaded Parthenon High-Waisted Skirt paired with my Satin Crepe Drop Sleeve Blouse. Both of these designs were first showcased on the runway at Oakland Fashion Week, located in Oakland, California. 

Roxanne Rodriguez Fashion Design, Oakland Fashion Week.

Roxanne Rodriguez Fashion Design, Oakland Fashion Week.

Valley Art Association Annual Scholarship Fund Exhibition, 2023.

My two youngest daughters pose with "The Dresses Mommy Made!" Valley Art Association Annual Scholarship Fund Exhibition, 2023.

If you would like to read more about these specific fashion designs, check out my Blog Article, "A Look Back: Fall 2018", where I discuss in more detail my inspiration and design process for creating my Hand Painted Floral Day Dress.

​In my Blog Article, "Oakland Fashion Week 2016: Day Three 'Sol Afrik'"., you will find one of several articles covering Oakland Fashion Week and my experience presenting my fashion collection there! 

So Much Talent!

Here are a few more photos of artworks from the exhibit: 

Minnie Rangel poses next to her Viewers Choice Vote: A Lovely Cat Painting. Valley Art Association Annual Scholarship Fund Exhibition, 2023.

"On The Hunt" Ink and Pencil by James Tracey. Valley Art Association Annual Scholarship Fund Exhibition, 2023.

Oil Painting. Valley Art Association Annual Scholarship Fund Exhibition, 2023.

Tenzing Rangel views the artwork at the exhibit. Valley Art Association Annual Scholarship Fund Exhibition, 2023.

And The Winners Are...

The three day art exhibit came to an end on Sunday, February 26th with an Artist Reception and Award Ceremony. The Rangel Family was in attendance, along with many other local artist and their associates. Delicious snacks, fresh coffee, and lemonade was served as we enjoyed a Silent Auction, followed by the Mayor's Choice Award. 

The City of Oakdale's Mayor Cherilyn Bairos presented artist, Steven Jamie Powers with the Mayor's Choice Award, for his painting of Gilbert's Feed. Oakdale is a city with a rich history in agriculture, and it was very interesting to hear Mayor Bairos heartwarming memory of her family's local history, when her great grandfather was a customer of  Gilbert's Feed. A story "near and dear" to the Mayor's heart!

Mayor's Choice Award. Artist Steven Jamie Powers with Mayor Cherilyn Bairos. Valley Art Association Annual Scholarship Fund Exhibition, 2023. Photo: Courtesy of Mayor Cherilyn Bairos.

In addition to the Mayor's Choice Award, Valley Art Association presented the Viewer's Choice Award, an award given to the artist with the most votes from those who attended the exhibit. And The Artist Choice Award, where participating artist voted for their favorite artist in the exhibit. 

Artist Javier Rangel, with his pencil drawing of Robyn Williams. Valley Art Association Annual Scholarship Fund Exhibition, 2023.

Surprisingly, for the first time in history, there was a 6-way tie for first place in The Artist Choice Category! Out of the six artworks that were most voted for, one name was selected at random to be crowned Artist Choice. This recipient of the selection was artist Steven Jamie Powers and his painting of San Francisco. My husband, artist Javier Rangel, and his pencil drawing of actor Robyn Williams, was one of the six artist in The Artist Choice Award tie! 

Artist Bradley Pultz and his painting of a underwater scene won The Viewers Choice Award. 

Congratulations to all of the amazing artist who were recognized for their outstanding artwork at the reception!   

I hope that you enjoyed my experience participating in the Valley Art Association's Annual Scholarship Fund Exhibition 2023 in Oakdale, California!

​My husband, Javi and I are now members of the Valley Art Association! As members, we look forward to being a part of the local artist community, learning from the many talented individuals in this group, and participating in more artistic events in the near future! 

If you were able to attend the art exhibit, did you enjoy seeing fashion presented? Which were your favorite artworks? I would love to hear your feedback and experience! Leave me a comment below! 

Thank you for reading my blog,
​I hope you have an Artistically Inspired Day! 

Related Links:

My Sewing Journal: Creating a Minoan Inspired Hand-Painted Skirt

A Photo Journey... My College Career as a Fashion Design Student

Parrot Couture

#Inktober 2019

#Inktober 2017

A Look Back: Fall 2018