Showcase Showcases The Arts

By Kevin Hershner
November 20, 2008

A man in his 20s was very excited. 

"I have to know your name," he said, "so when you become famous I can say I had one of the originals."

The man was referring to Cole Burch's table of about a dozen handmade wooden bowls.  This was one of the 20 booths of fashion designers, photographers and jewelry designers at the second annual Showcase of the Arts hosted by the Fashion Merchandising and Design Society this week in the Wallace Atrium at Virginia Tech.

According to fashion group's president, Bramble Trionfo, this event was held as a way to raise money for the group's fashion show in the spring.

 "Our fashion show is huge," said Trionfo. "It's a multi-thousand dollar event."

The fashion show is scheduled for March 20 in Squires' Commonwealth Ballroom, according to Trionfo.

Trionfo also said everything the artists sell is 100 percent personal commission.

According to Showcase Coordinator Jessica Throckmorton, the event had eight local artists and 12 Virginia Tech students hosting the booths.

Burch, a local high school student from Christiansburg, had a table with his sister, Virginia Tech sophomore Kate Burch.  Their table was full of handmade bowls, wreaths and small children's toys.

"Well, my granddad started me with woodworking when I was young," said Cole Burch.  He explained that each bowl takes about six months to dry before he can put the finishing touches on them. 

One booth at the Showcase was for Toms Shoes.  According to Sheena Phillips who was operating the booth, TOMS Shoes is an organization that donates shoes to children in need all over the globe.  TOMS Shoes has already donated over 100,000 shoes. 

The person who most likely traveled the greatest distance to be at the event was Hiro Motegi.  Motegi, a graduate student at Tech, was born in Japan and came to the United States seven years ago.

Motegi, who exhibited calligraphy and photography, said most kids are not very interested in calligraphy anymore because they are too distracted by TV and video games.   

Ben Overstreet and Darren Bridges were at the event to sell shirts to help promote their December event, The Shred.  According to Bridges, The Shred is going to be a snowboard and surfing themed party held in Blacksburg with promotions from other companies in the area.

Other booths included Blacksburg local retail store 310 Rosemont, Meghan Stenzel's jewelry that benefited Cornerstone Women's Shelter, and Jenna Nichols who was selling photos and dreamcatchers. 

The event also featured performances by one of Virginia Tech's all male a cappella groups Juxtaposition.

Throckmorton said that all in all the Showcase was a great success for the underappreciated fashion merchandizing group.

"People don't know about us," said Throckmorton, "and we are a society that works really hard."

According to Trionfo, FMDS is a growing organization that is open to all majors.  "Art's alive in Blacksburg," said Trionfo.