Valley nonprofits team to initiate Dolls on Parade event

Modeled after similar art exhibits around the world, including the Wild Salmon on Parade in Anchorage, artists are invited to submit proposals for decorating a doll that will be displayed in the Valley this summer.

Valley Community for Recycling Solutions executive director Mollie Boyer said the idea for the event formed when a VCRS supporter donated dozens of porcelain dolls.

"We're trying to find ways to utilize this donation. One of our first opportunities was with Valley Arts Alliance," Boyer said.

The dolls will eventually be auctioned, with proceeds split between the two nonprofit groups. Boyer said the group received enough dolls to hold the event for three years.

Applications are available online at www.valleyartsalliance.com. Design proposals are due April 22. Artists may submit up to two entries. No entry fees are charged. Entries should be submitted by mail to Valley Arts Alliance at PO Box 2369, Palmer 99645.

Thirty entries will be selected, based on artistic creativity and originality of design. Those artists will be provided with a doll about 16 inches tall, with porcelain head, arms and legs and a cloth body.

Boyer said artists aren't restricted to making the doll appear doll-like.

"They can make it sit, stand, fly, anything. It can become another kind of creature altogether," she said.

Unmodified dolls are available for viewing at Madd Matters, Just Sew, Turkey Red and Fireside Books in Palmer or in Wasilla at Aurora Bead and Craft, Roxanne's Dolls, Dorothy Page Museum and Pandemonium Books. Sophia's Kafe Neo and Valley Community for Recycling Solutions, both along the Palmer-Wasilla Highway, have dolls on display as well.

Completed dolls will be displayed first at Madd Matters in Palmer, then at the Valley Arts Alliance pavilion at the Alaska State Fair. After the fair, Boyer said a few of the dolls will be displayed at each of the above businesses. The dolls will be auctioned at the mid-November grand opening of the Community Recycling Center, with proceeds used to benefit the community.

Find Rindi White online at adn.com/contact/rwhite or call 352-6709.