ArtPop Street Gallery has announced the return of its annual Upcycled Fashion Show and Fundraiser, scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, at Blume Studios in Charlotte, North Carolina. Now in its fifth year, the event will feature 15 commissioned fashion designers each unveiling bold, one-of-a-kind runway pieces crafted from retired ArtPop billboard vinyls.
The Upcycled Fashion Show reflects ArtPop Street Gallery’s ongoing commitment to supporting the local arts community while promoting environmental responsibility. At the heart of this effort is ArtPop’s Upcycling Initiative, which repurposes vinyl materials from its Cities Program, an annual juried exhibition showcasing the work of 20 regional artists on donated billboards and other public media throughout the region.
“The visibility artists receive through the Cities Program is significant,” said ArtPop Street Gallery founder and executive director Wendy Hickey. “The overall value of the annual billboard campaign is estimated at approximately $8.5 million. Of that total, $1.5 million is attributed to static billboard placements.”
Each year, the Upcycling Initiative and yearly fashion show helps divert more than 13,400 square feet of vinyl utilized during the Cities Program from landfills, transforming it into bold, wearable works of art.
With over 400 distinguished guests expected, including cultural tastemakers, community leaders and art enthusiasts, this highly anticipated fundraiser is an opportunity to champion local talent and support the region’s creative economy. This year, organizers are calling on the community for renewed support.
“This main-stage event is not only our primary annual fundraiser, but a vital part of advancing our mission,” said board chair Will Teichman. “This year, our venue partner Blume Studios, Blumenthal Arts’ new creative hub, illustrates an ideal collaboration with arts-minded leaders in Charlotte. We couldn’t be more excited for what promises to be our best event yet.”
ArtPop Street Gallery is actively seeking sponsors for the 2025 Upcycled Fashion Show. As a nonprofit organization, ArtPop depends on partnerships and community support to carry out its mission. Sponsorship contributions help fund year-round programming, mentorship opportunities for artists, education, scholarships, selling opportunities, public art installations and the continued success of the organization’s Upcycling Initiative. Sponsors will receive brand visibility, recognition at the event and access to exclusive benefits.
