About the class

For young designers ages 9-17 who want to participate in the upcoming April 6th Trashion Runway Show and need space, guidance, or just a place to creatively start.  Under the guidance of Jill Valavanis, SCC Visual Arts Director, and Molly Spencer, Director of Engagement, students will receive 10 hours of studio time to prep for the Runway Show.  Students will be shown how to  turn trash into Trashion outfits by manipulating unconventional materials into wearable art.  There will also be an emphasis on storytelling using visual elements to create a narrative for the audience and express the designer’s unique point of view. 

Note: As stated on the Trashion Fashion application, kids 9-13 will definitely participate in the 2:00PM matinee show and possibly the 5:00PM show as well. This decision will be announced in class.
You may also reach out to Molly Spencer molly@sonomacommunitycenter.org.
Please carefully read the rules of entry on the application and come to class with any questions – we’ll go over everything during the first class meeting. 

About the Instructors

Jill Valavanis

Fine Arts Program Director

Jill Valavanis is the Sonoma Community Center’s Visual Arts Director. She organizes the classes in drawing, painting, printmaking, and fiber arts. With a Master of Fine Arts in Integrated Three-Dimensional Media, Jill enjoys working with a variety of materials and loves to share her expertise in fiber arts techniques. She has taught art to adults and children for 30 years and exhibits her work now and then, most recently at the Sanchez Art Center in Pacifica. Jill is looking forward to helping kids and teens construct their Trashion Fashion entries by experimenting with materials that would otherwise go to landfill.

Molly Spencer

Trashion Fashion Director

Molly Spencer is the Director of Engagement at the Sonoma Community Center which runs the broad spectrum at the Center from directing Trashion Fashion events, podcasting, and leading the dance and movement programming to name a few. She is excited to bring more of the storytelling aspect to the Trashion Fashion Design Class for Kids & Teens. She brings her experience in podcasting, radio as well as directing, choreographing and teaching childrens and teens dance recitals and ballets for over 20 years. She is excited to share how to express the individuality of the young designers and models to help them develop a story and character using the visual elements of trash and fashion. With behind the scenes experience of the Trashion Runway show, she also shares what to expect and how to help keep calm and find self confidence from this unique experience. Molly also expresses her Trashion creativity through Trashion Barbies Gallery Exhibit since its inception in 2017!

Are you an SCC Member? All Memberships(Excluding the $50/year tier) receive 10% off any purchase above $40. You should have received your discount code in your membership confirmation email.

If you have any questions regarding the use of your code, you can contact Sean Baskin at sean@sonomacommunitycenter.org or call the office at (707)938-4626.

Not a member? View more information about our monthly and yearly plans here.

The Sonoma Community Center is committed to creating an accessible learning environment. If you require any special considerations(medical, physical, learning) please share them with Sean Baskin, Program Associate, by emailing him at sean@sonomacommunitycenter.org so that he can forward them to the relevant Program Director and Instructor.

Questions and Answers

Membership Benefits

All Memberships(Excluding the $50/year tier) receive 10% off any purchase above $40. You should have received your discount code in your membership confirmation email.

If you have any questions regarding the use of your code, you can contact Sean Baskin at sean@sonomacommunitycenter.org or call the office at (707)938-4626.

Not a member? View more information about our monthly and yearly plans here.

Accessibility Needs & Commitment

The Sonoma Community Center is committed to creating an accessible learning environment. If you require any special considerations(medical, physical, learning) please share them with Sean Baskin, Program Associate, by emailing him at sean@sonomacommunitycenter.org so that he can forward them to the relevant Program Director and Instructor.

What skill level is right for me?

• All Levels
• Welcomes participants from beginning through advanced. Instructor provides a balanced and flexible curriculum suitable for participants with any level of experience.
• Beginning
• Participant has little to no experience with this medium and needs or expects guidance at every step during the class. Participant wants to learn about materials, techniques, and vocabulary of the medium.
• Intermediate
• Participant is comfortable with the medium and expects both guidance and time to work alone with the medium.
• Advanced
• Participant is very confident with all aspects of the medium. Participant is self-motivated; ready to experiment and develop their artistic voice.

Is there a building map so I can find my room ahead of time?

What is the process for cancelling my registration?

We ask that you notify us at least 10 business days in advance of a class if you need to cancel your registration. You may cancel by phone or email and we will gladly offer you a refund or credit toward a future class. If you cancel with less than 10 business days notice, we will not be able to provide a full refund. A flat cancellation fee of $15 will be charged to cover the transaction fee.

Sometimes, the Sonoma Community Center has to cancel a class due to low enrollment or unforeseen circumstances, such as a natural disaster or health emergency. If this happens and we do not offer a reschedule date, you will be refunded 100% of your registration fee, or credit towards a future class. If we are able to offer a reschedule date but you are unable to make the new date, we will gladly offer credit towards a future class.

Do you pro-rate late additions to classes?

Late additions to any program, class, or workshop that has already begun will be allowed on a per-case basis depending upon the Program Director & instructors approval. Late additions will have to pay the full registration cost of the class, along with any materials fees, and will not be prorated for the time missed. You may reach out to the program directors directly, or the Program Associate Sean Baskin at sean@sonomacommunitycenter.org to request a late addition.

I am interested in teaching, where can I find more information?

We are always looking for new instructors. You can find more information about the process here, or fill out the form directly here.

Where can I find your full class policies and guidelines?

You can view our full class policies and guidelines here.

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