THE EASTERN SHORE ART CENTER PRESENTS THE TRAVELING PANTS SHOW/DELTA DENIM.

This exhibition of brightly colored blue jeans is a project that began as a huge student installation for Earth Fest 2007 at 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center on April 21st. Students from two counties, and over 27 school, Girl Scout or 4-H groups responded with almost 600 pairs of blue jeans decorated in the theme of “What is it that you love, and want to preserve in the environment that you know in this area?” The young artists were asked to think of the things they enjoyed seeing when they explore the entire Mobile Bay area, whether it flies, swims, grows, walks or even stings! When they were stumped for an idea, we asked them “What is it you enjoy doing with your family outdoors?” Some would answer swimming, sailing, fishing, or taking pictures of birds or flowers. Next we asked them to imagine they were a grandparent. What would they want to share with their young grandchildren some day? Would they want the rivers and bay clean enough to swim in? Did they hope there would still be birds and manatees and fireflies? Did they want to share the pitcher bog plant with them? What is their favorite fish?

The students, with the help of their science and art teachers, researched and explored their favorite subjects, until they came up with a design of their own, or in small teams. They created pieces along their theme, including recycled name tags. The many dedicated art teachers who believed in this project showed up on April 21st, and helped hang the huge clothesline that seemed to go on forever at the beautiful new 5Rivers Delta Resource Center. The project that day was called, “Hanging Out on the Causeway”, which is where the 5Rivers Center is located.

Thousands of people attended the event and had a chance to see what student artists feel about their environment. It was an amazing sight to see all those pants blowing in the wind, hundreds of people stopping to see each pair, and marveling at the student’s creativity and passion for the environment. Students aged 7 through 18 came to see their work on display. They knew they helped open eyes to their vision by their participation.

Marine biologists were asked to judge the show down to a “travel-able” size, and spent several hours finding the top 100 or so entries to become the Traveling Pants Show/Delta Denim. This show traveled to the Fairhope Music Festival, to the Eastern Shore Art Center and to the Mobile Bay Bears! The student artists were presented on the field to receive recognition and they can say their art “Hung at the Hank!” (the Mobile Bay Bears play at the Henry Aaron Stadium) They have hung at Dauphin Island Sea Lab, and traveled to Santa Rosa, Florida as well as Utah.

It was judged one more time, to help eliminate pairs that may not travel well (too fragile or heavy). It is now a show of 44 pairs of pants, and is currently taking bookings to travel further, and impact audiences everywhere. The students have a lot to tell us, through their art, if we will but take the time…to listen, to view it, and to react!