BARE-ing it all for Spring 2014
BARE Creative Director and Artist Grason Ratowsky takes a break after painting the black vinyl for BARE’s new Spring 2014 Collection. Photo: Evan Swinehart
Over 150 people amassed at the newest RiNo Art District’s Price Gallery on Saturday, March 22, 2014, for an invitation-only sneak preview of BARE’s 2014 Spring Artist Collection—a soft-launch party so successful, guests lingered until after midnight.
Artist Naomi Clark handpaints the white vinyl for the new line. Photo: Evan Swinehart
In an industrial-themed setting, Price Gallery, owned by CREATE MSU Denver client Ted Davis and located at 31st Street and Larimer, was home to the grand unveiling of two full-sized repurposed billboard canvases, one black and one white, along with painting supplies.
Paintbrushes in hand, artists Grason Ratowsky and Naomi Clark scaled ladders and splattered, smeared, and streaked designs onto the vinyl, while guests pre-ordered what will soon be sewn into their tote, wallet, duffel, backpack, or clutch before available to the public.
Launched in October 2013, BARE is a sustainable fashion brand creating one of a kind, art focused, travel bags and accessories. The company was founded by Grason Ratowsky, Justin Biel, and Lo Sampadian; with partners including actress Jessica Biel, James Molloy, and Director of Photography Anton Fresco.
Kim and Justin Biel after the grand reveal of the BARE Artist Collection. Photo: Evan Swinehart
Keeping True to the BARE motto “As Unique As You,” the companies initial line, The BARE Burlap Collection, was a line of travel bags crafted out of locally sourced, repurposed coffee sacks, wax canvas, and leather strapping. Even more audacious is the BARE team’s new Spring/Summer 2014 Artist Collection; one-of- a-kind pieces of wearable art that are hand painted by artists creating “the most unique individualistic bags in the world” available for sale online end of April 2014.
For part of BARE’s philanthropic mission, they donated 20% of all sales of their burlap collection that evening to support CREATE MSU Denver’s new Adopt an ARTrepreneur Program (ARTfund).
Dave Anderson and CREATE artist Marjorie Anderson pose at event. Photo: Evan Swinehart
The ARTfund provides funding for a creative entrepreneur to participate in the CREATE Virtual Incubator. Through CREATE, clients receive customized one-on-one virtual business advising to learn how to sustain their passion and increase sales. In the spirit of collaboration, invited guests, along with Mile High Spirits, located at 29th Street and Larimer, donated to the ARTfund. Donations totaled $796.00, supporting one artist to be funded into CREATE.
For more information, visit BARE’s website at baremade.com.
Learn more about CREATE’s Adopt an ARTrepreneur Program at createmsudenver.com.
Category: ARTrepreneurship
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