It was fashion night out in Dunedin.
On Saturday, August 22, 2026, art enthusiasts, local residents and traveling guests gathered at the Dunedin Fine Art Center to celebrate a monumental milestone: the 20th Anniversary of wearable Art.
I began my evening mingling with the kindest and most sparkle-dressed guests you could imagine. Everyone was dressed to impress. I photographed families supporting their loved ones, dedicated attendees who drove from as far as Miami, and new locals establishing roots. While backgrounds varied, everyone shared a singular purpose: supporting the visual arts.
Families and friends gathered early to support the visionary local and regional artists taking the runway. 
Dressed to impress: Guests brought their own sparkle and high-fashion flair to the pre-show reception. 
From local newcomers to dedicated travelers from Miami, the energy in the pre-party area was electric. 
Dressed to impress: Guests brought their own sparkle and high-fashion flair to the pre-show reception. 
The Emcee: David Warner
The runway showcase kicked off with emcee David Warner, a familiar and beloved fixture within the Tampa Bay arts community.
During his 14-year tenure as editor-in-chief of Creative Loafing, Warner closely observed and oversaw coverage of wearable Art from its very inception. This month, he was delighted to get the chance to “gawk, marvel, and kvell” all over again in his latest feature story celebrating this grand Platinum Anniversary.
Warner did an excellent job keeping the crowd informed and entertained. A past president of Creative Pinellas, his expansive media career includes roles as editor-in-chief of duPont REGISTRY Tampa Bay, alongside writing contributions for the Tampa Bay Times Magazine, TBAYtoday, and The Gulfport Gabber.
A Welcome from Andrea Nalls
Warner warmly introduced Andrea Nalls, President and CEO of the Dunedin Fine Art Center.
Nalls opened by thanking the packed house for championing local creativity and showing up for the brilliant artists who spent months bringing this runway to life. She shared her deep gratitude for the wearable ART 20 committee leaders:
- Julian Hartzog (co-chair)
- Janet Henderson (co-chair)
- Bri Chavez
- Mikell Herrick
- Devidasa Kawal
- Emmanuel Leleksis
- Sandy Schwartz
The evening’s presentation was held in loving memory of Ruth Stone, made possible via the generous backing of The Ruth & Jo Stone Foundation. Nalls explicitly recognized the vital support of the evening’s full sponsor lineup, including David & Nancy Bilheimer, Dr. Irwin & Syd Entel, Peter & Paula Vosotas, John & Sara Kessinger, and LEK Private Wealth of Raymond James.
The Fashion Show
wearable Art 20: Platinum celebrated twenty years of one of the Dunedin Fine Art Center’s most beloved traditions. The 2026 runway featured breathtaking new creations from returning designers alongside exciting first-time participants.
The 2026 Artist Lineup Featured:
- The Bay to Bay Wearable Art Collective: Mystical Goddess Digital Devine
- Talia Craig: Flora of Land and Sea
- Whimsy Forge: Fera Rising
- Dawn Mostow & Ben Gould of Dawnamatrix: Curiosities & Wonders
- Chase Parker: Fractured Elegance
- Olga Saretsky: Vision Unbound
Ethereal evolution: The Bay to Bay Wearable Art Collective captivates the audience with Mystical Goddess Digital Devin. 
Nature meets the runway: Talia Craig’s stunning Flora of Land and Sea brings organic textures to life. 
Masterful innovation: Returning designers Dawn Mostow and Ben Gould of Dawnamatrix unveil their breathtaking Curiosities & Wonders. 
Immersive design: Technical Director Chuck Taylor’s dynamic LED sets from Production Source create a transformative backdrop for the designers’ final walks. 
Behind the Magic: My Impression
Beautiful. Powerful. Sublimely sweet and innocent.
Massive LED screens framing the stage instantly transported the audience into a different realm, using rhythmic music and lighting to curate an immersive voyage.
This otherworldly atmosphere was masterfully engineered by Chuck Taylor, the event’s technical director and lighting designer for the past nine years. A Dunedin native, Taylor has spent over 35 years managing audio, video, and theatrical production across Tampa Bay. His company, Production Source, provided the soundscapes, structural staging, and high-tech visual design that elevated the runway into a world-class production.
Guided by Taylor’s environment, the artistic messages resonated instantly. For me, the overarching theme of the night was women’s empowerment—honoring, beautiful, fashionable, and deeply artful.
A Personal Note
Walking through the gallery space with my camera, capturing the glint of the gowns and the expressions of the guests, I was struck most by the profound sense of community. I watched families erupt into cheers for their designers, strangers exchange compliments, and artists beam with pride as their concepts took physical form on the runway.
wearable ART 20 was much more than a fashion exhibition. It proved to be a vibrant testament to resilience, collective creativity, and the power of art to unite us. I left inspired, incredibly grateful, and eager to see what the next twenty years will bring.
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Hi Tanya, I would love to see some of the photos. I was one of the designers but didn’t get to see the show simply because I was too busy backstage but I would love to see what you captured if you would be so kind. It was my first time and was an amazing experience for me personally.
Thank you,
Chase Parker
IG: @art_cparker
Hi Chase! Thank you for your message and congratulations on your successful show! We have about 500 photos from this shoot! Is it safe to assume you are looking to see the rest of the photos from your line? If so, we can tag you on Instagram once they have been uploaded.