Annual RAGS Show Provides Artful Support for YWCA Pierce County’s Domestic Violence Programs

Popular South Sound event celebrates twenty-one years.

Tacoma, Wash.—The 21st annual RAGS Wearable Art sale and gallery competition will take place March 12-15, 2015, at the Larson’s Mercedes-Benz of Tacoma in Fife. In the last 20 years RAGS has raised $1,297,000 for the YWCA Pierce County’s domestic violence prevention programs. The RAGS Guild continues to build this event because the need for services for victims of abuse continues to grow.

Creative clothing, fashion accessories, and unusual jewelry from more than 70 artists of local, regional, and national acclaim will be for sale at the boutique-style show. A third of each RAGS artist’s sales benefit the YWCA’s domestic violence prevention and intervention programs. 

Many RAGS artists hail from the Puget Sound area, and artists from around the country also display and sell their work at RAGS. Months before the show, the all-volunteer guild solicits regional individuals and businesses for monetary and in-kind donations to defray show expenses and supplement RAGS’s contribution to the YWCA. As a result, nearly 100 percent of RAGS proceeds go directly to the YWCA.

The blend of art, fashion, shopping, and fundraising is what makes RAGS significant to its many loyal supporters, according to Margaret Ross, RAGS chair. “RAGS draws on passions that run deep among shoppers, artists and volunteers,” says Ross. “Domestic violence is an all too familiar issue in our community. Whether directly or indirectly, we likely know someone affected by abuse. Those who participate in the annual RAGS event believe that it is important to fund programs offering hope to families affected by domestic violence. And when that opportunity is combined with shopping for unique wearable fashions, people find that it's a fun way to support an organization that is saving lives in our community.”

“The RAGS show offers variety in every price range,” Ross says, “from artistic, affordable beaded bracelets and whimsical accessories, to luxurious hand-woven garments, and unique gold, silver or precious stone jewelry.” Besides its boutique-style “Marketplace” sale, RAGS also features a gallery-style competition of one-of-a-kind garments, accessories, and jewelry.

Judged by well-known names in the arts community, the winners in several categories earn cash awards. Some of these special works are for sale, giving shoppers the opportunity to own an award-winning piece of wearable art.

The RAGS show is open to the public at no charge at Larson’s Mercedes-Benz of Tacoma, 1701 Alexander Ave. E., Fife WA 98424, just off Interstate 5 in Fife. Show hours are Friday and Saturday, March 13 and 14, from 10 A.M. to 6 P.M. and Sunday, March 15, from 10 A.M. to 4 P.M.

The weekend begins with a ticketed Gala preview event on Thursday, March 12. The gala ticket price is $70 and tickets may be purchased at RAGSWearableArt.org.

For more information about the 21st annual RAGS Wearable Art Show, visit RAGSWearableArt.org, call the RAGS hotline at 253-272-4181, ext. 352 or contact Mandi Webster-Martin at awmartin@sitecrafting.com (253-686-0967).

For more about YWCA Pierce County’s domestic violence prevention and intervention programs, visit YWCApiercecounty.org.

The RAGS Guild is an all-volunteer group, dedicated to producing an annual wearable art show and sale to benefit YWCA Pierce County’s domestic violence programs.