Let’s Celebrate, Jubilee

Celebrating the Success of The Fashion Show: Purpose Beyond Performance: Jubilee

The atmosphere was electric at TheGifted Arts fashion show, with students, staff, team members, and volunteers buzzing with excitement. Despite a bit of nervousness, there was an undeniable feeling of anticipation and joy as everyone prepared for the evening's festivities. The TGA team gathered for an impromptu staff meeting to wish everyone success for the night.

VIP guests arrived, eager to enjoy the celebration, drinks, and food amidst the beautifully decorated venue at The Fairview Raleigh. The stage and seating arrangements looked stunning, setting the stage for what promised to be an unforgettable night.

Prior to the show, I had the pleasure of speaking with Toya Crichlow, a proud parent of Zoe Mac, a seventh-grader at Centennial Campus Middle School, and a TGA student for two years. Toya shared her excitement about Zoe's journey with TGA and the impact it has had on her daughter's life.

"My daughter had the best summer she’s ever had with TGA. The staff is so creative and supportive, and Zoe has grown tremendously. I’m looking forward to her continuing with them in the future," said Toya.

As the show kicked off, the excitement in the room only grew. Patty Stearns, a TGA alumna, shared her enthusiasm for the students' creative freedom and the euphoric atmosphere.

"The feeling in the room is euphoric! It’s just so happy, it’s jubilee! Exactly - joy!" exclaimed Patty.

The senior solos were a highlight of the evening, showcasing the students' personalities and talents. The alumni performance brought a sense of nostalgia and joy, while the Fashion Design Challenge participants impressed with their creativity and innovation.

"My favorite part is I like seeing the kids get to design their own thing and get to show off what they design," shared Patty.

During the closing scene, co-founder CJ Morgan expressed his elation and pride in the students' performances. The energy and warmth in the room were palpable, with Morgan's son, Cole, making memorable appearances throughout the show. "I am excited, elated, it’s a warming feeling. The best year yet, of course! My son is out here! My son is out here getting flowers! The senior solos were amazing just to see their personalities come alive and then to showcase themselves, it’s awesome," said Morgan.

Azia Barfield, a TGA graduate and current staff member, echoed the sentiment of pride and excitement. "I feel electric, it’s awesome, amazing, they work so hard and it’s awesome. The alumni performance was electric too! Best year yet. The senior solos made me cry. I’ve known all of those kids and have a personal relationship with them, and it was indescribable. I’m so happy for them," shared Azia.

Board member Rafik shared their perspective on the transformation they’ve witnessed in TGA students over the years.

"I really love the transformation that you see. These kids come in shy and small, and then after just a year they blossom into this big confident ball of energy and I really just love it," said Rafik.

The entire night embodied the theme of jubilee, with joy and excitement pulsating throughout the venue. It was unanimously agreed that this was the best Fashion Show yet.

We extend a heartfelt thank you to our sponsors, Cyber Synergy and TG Floristry, for their support of The Fashion Show. Their contributions have made a significant impact on our organization and the young artists we serve.

As we reflect on the success of The Fashion Show: Purpose Beyond Performance: Jubilee, we encourage you to support TheGifted Arts in any way you can. Whether it's through financial contributions, enrolling your child in the program, sharing connections with commercial real estate developers for studio space, volunteering to join the board, sign up for our newsletter, or hosting a TGA performance for the community, your support is invaluable.

Together, let's continue to transform lives through culturally responsive artistic experiences and celebrate the talent and potential of our youth. #PurposeBeyondPerformance #Jubilee #TGACommunity #SupportTheArts 🎭✨