“UNCLAD - The Fine Art of the Figure” is an annual
exhibit celebrating the nude figure in art. This highly anticipated
annual event draws thousands of visitors together each year for an
experience that is unexpected, somewhat provocative, and highly
engaging. The intrinsic nature of the subject has motivated artists to
explore and push their boundaries, producing a show that inspires,
opens minds, starts discussions, stirs emotions, and touches lives.
HISTORYSince its inception, UNCLAD has been a phenomenon that has taken on
a life of its own. It began in a small gallery on Camano Island as a fun idea for a nude art show featuring a few local artists.
Much to gallery owner Gayle Picken's surprise, her phone started ringing off the hook. Artists
she didn’t even know asked if they could be in the show, excited they
had found a venue for displaying nudes. That first year, 29 artists
participated, crowds poured into the gallery, and the show was born.
Since then, the show has grown exponentially in terms of numbers of
participating artists, quality and diversity of the artwork, and
attendance. After 4 years on Camano Island, Picken moved the show to a larger venue in Stanwood and even took it to Portland 2 years in a row. By the 8th year, the show featured over 100 artists from all over North America. In fact, the show has global appeal. Over the years, participants have shipped their artwork to Stanwood from as far away as Denmark, Israel, and Australia.
Always pushing for the next new thing, Picken encourages participation from local businesses and groups as a way to involve the community and enhance the show. Events such as a fashion show, book review, art lecture, and drawing marathon have broadened the scope and added a new dimension to the show.
In 2007, the gallery formed a Relay for Life team to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Each year during the Unclad show, one evening is devoted to a fundraiser event ... a wine tasting, an auction, a chef competition ... all examples that have brought community together to enjoy the artwork and raise money for a great cause.
As UNCLAD expands to become a festival known throughout the country,
the core idea remains the same as it did during the very first show.
The stark-naked truth is that this show called UNCLAD is all about
having fun in the business of art. For so many people–artists, art
enthusiasts, and the community in general–UNCLAD provides excitement,
pleasure, anticipation, and a great source of inspiration.
MISSION
Our mission with UNCLAD: to create a beautiful art event that
engages people in the world of art and inspires artists to push forward.
TEAM
Each year, a core committee of volunteers puts in hundreds of hours to plan, organize, set up, and promote this event. It is thanks to the hard work of many people that we can run this show each year.
