'Slay the Runway' with Firehouse Art Center's outreach program

NEWS RELEASE
FIREHOUSE ART CENTER
*************************
“Slay the Runway”, the Firehouse Art Center’s free outreach program for LGBTQIA+ youth and their allies, opens for applications May 1st.  

Slay the Runway provides Fashion Design and sewing classes in Longmont and Boulder. The class will run for 8 weeks and concludes with a professionally produced runway show at the B2 Center for Media, Arts, and Performance in CU Boulder’s Atlas Institute. In addition to garment construction and design, participants will work with make-up artists and choreographers to refine their final performance.

Where:  Two in-person cohorts, one in Boulder and one in Longmont (Small Classes following County COVID guidelines) 

When:  Starting Sept 2021, Applications due June 1st.

Who:  The workshop is open to Colorado residents ages 13-18. Everyone is welcome, but all participants must respect that this is a safe space for LGBTQIA+ expression and celebration. 

The program ends with a Caregivers Conference, where LGBTQIA+ community experts provide education for youth and families in creating safe spaces at home. Slay the Runway aims to connect LGBTQIA+ middle school and high school students and allies to their greater community through creative self expression. 

“LGBTQ youth are 5x more likely to attempt suicide than their straight peers, and those from rejecting environments are 8x more likely. They also experience higher rates of severe depression, illegal drug use, and homelessness. We aim to increase support and community connection for a population of youth suffering from marginalization and discrimination by creating an affirming and accessible space where creativity, expression, and positive self-image are celebrated.”- Elaine Waterman, Executive Director, Firehouse Art Center

WORKSHOP OBJECTIVES

Learning Basic Sewing and Fashion Design Skills: Middle/high school students will create runway-ready looks in an LGBTQIA+ affirming environment over a series of weekly evening classes. Participants will design outfits, purchase fabrics, sew, and accessorize their final look. All materials and equipment will be provided.  

Connecting with the LGBTQIA+ Community: LGBTQIA+ youth gain an opportunity to connect to peers, older teens, and LGBTQIA+ designers, performers, and educators during both the weekly classes and for the culminating Fashion Show.

Family and Caregiver Workshop: A supportive home environment is key for the mental and emotional stability of LGBTQIA+ youth, but their parents and caregivers often struggle to find support for their families. Local LGBTQIA+ organizations will provide families a safe space to ask questions and access community resources to support them in affirming their child. Workshops for parents and caregivers will be held on the afternoon of the Fashion Show, while students are getting ready to perform.

Slay the Runway Extravaganza: After short tutorials on runway walks, makeup, and hair, the kids take the stage and show off their accomplishments to their families and friends, allowing all participants to celebrate together either virtually or in-person (county guidelines permitting). The performance will be produced in CU Boulder’s state-of-art Black Box Theater and managed by industry professionals.

As participants in Slay The Runway, students are given the freedom to push their design and construction skills to new levels. Student workshops provide a supportive emotional experience for LGBTQIA+ youth, allies, and their families. 

How to Apply: Applications can be found at https://firehouseart.org/slay-the-runway/Please review the application and send questions to [email protected].

Slay the Runway is supported by Arts in Society.  Due to generous grants, we are able to offer construction, design, and style instruction for free to accepted students.  Spots are limited and applications will open in Spring 2021. Classes will begin in Sept 2021.

*************************