A "Liza Leger" Flashbag on the cover of the Burlington Free Press Weekend section

Published: September 7, 2006 Southside shuffle

By Michelle Edelbaum, Free Press Staff Writer

"When the Art Hop first started, the South End was like an outpost," says Mark Waskow, chair of the Art Hop board and a fervent art collector. "It was like a no man's land -- raw, bare, post-industrial space that nothing was being done with. It was hard to get people to stop in the South End. There wasn't a lot going on. There were a few businesses calling it home and a few artists colonizing the area doing their own things."

Fifteen years later, of course, the South End is a revitalized place, and the Art Hop, which helped spur that revival, keeps growing as well.

For 2006, fashion shows have been added and a central hub location has been set up in the vacant half of the former Specialty Filaments building on Pine Street (see box, "Street Strut"). There are also concerts, workshops and other events, which we've highlighted for you on these pages.

But the true essence of the Art Hop lies in its spontaneity. Many galleries and businesses host music, food and parties that you'll happen upon in the course of wandering from one gallery to the next. From an other worldly outdoor scene of puppeteers and a klezmer band under twinkling lights to wine, cheese and a jazz quartet at an upscale gallery, there's a surprise around every corner.

Hop in.

STREET STRUT

The former Specialty Filaments building on Pine Street serves as a new central hub for Art Hop activities, courtesy of Redstone which owns the building and is trying to find a tenant for the vacant half of the building. (The other half of the building is occupied by Lake Champlain Chocolates.)

The raw, urban feel of the building is an apt backdrop for "Strut" a fashion show where art marries function. The 30-40 minute catwalk show features 45 clothing-and-accessories looks from nine Burlington-area designers.

"Because it's the first year, it has a grassroots feel," said Ali Marchildon, co-owner of Flash Bags and one of several designers who organized the event. "Next year it will have a more polished feel. But this warehouse isn't asking for polish. It will be very Burlington-- young, hip and edgy."

The show, which came together in about three weeks, features fashions ranging from handbags to preppy and punk-flavored T-shirts to couture pieces.