SUPERIOR — Sasha Howell didn’t always consider herself an artist.
The costume and fashion designer recalls when Sarah Brokke did a series of paintings featuring artists and asked Howell to be one of them.
“When she approached me, I was like ‘I’m not a real artist, you know,’ and she said ‘shut up, you are,’ and it was the first time I legit thought of myself as an artist,” Howell said.
Brokke’s painting of Howell is set to hang along with a collection of Howell’s work in the University of Wisconsin-Superior’s Kruk Gallery through September and October.
Sasha Howell, of Rebel Threads, dresses a mannequin while preparing for her show Sept. 14.
Jed Carlson / Duluth Media Group
When Howell was approached by curator Annie Dugan to put together a show for the gallery, Howell first thought she was being asked to fill the smaller experimental gallery.
“I was like, ‘yeah I can throw up four or five dresses and hang some stuff.’ So when I walked in here and met her, I was like, ‘you just upped the ante, girl,'” Howell said. “But I think it’s awesome that they want to highlight costume design like this.”
Sasha Howell, left, listens to Annie Dugan as Dugan talks about an idea for Howell’s show, which runs Sept. 24 through Nov. 5.
Jed Carlson / Duluth Media Group
Howell’s show “Rebel Spectacle” combines a lot of her work around costume, fashion, upcycling, community and the evolution of her business, Rebel Threads. The gallery will include loose thematic categories, bulletin boards with sketches and drafts, clothing racks, portfolio materials, posters, costumes and more.
If you go
Sasha Howell’s show runs Sept. 24 through Nov. 5 in the Kruk Gallery in the Holden Fine and Applied Arts Center. at the University of Wisconsin-Superior.
Costumes are encouraged at a closing celebration from 5-7 p.m. on Nov. 5.
“It’s going to be a very good time,” Howell said. “If you don’t know what to wear, reach out. We have something.”
It’s not a straightforward linear journey, as Howell doesn’t want a strict progression of time. The show focuses more on themes.
“And by the time they’ve worked their way through the main room to this one, this is going to be a cozy space with projection of fashion shows I’ve done and media interviews and PDFs and whatnot,” Howell said. “And there’s an opportunity for some community art as people can write their reflections on these fabric swatches that I’ve been saving since I worked at Hancock Fabric like 25 years ago and hang them up on this clothesline that’ll be lining this wall here.”
Howell is also working with Daniel Benoit — or “projection wizard” as she calls him — to add lighting and projection into the show.
Sasha Howell, left, chats with projection artist Daniel Benoit.
Jed Carlson / Duluth Media Group
Students in Dugan’s exhibition class helped Howell start setting up the shows early this week.
“My challenge is going to be, because I’m very maximalist, very much not minimalist, to not overdo things,” Howell said. “Because in my mind, we’re draping fabric from the ceilings and covering so much of this space, but I want to edit it down so that it still feels gallery worthy, while matching my vibe and style.”
Howell has a master’s in education and an undergraduate degree in theater, for the latter of which she focused on costume design. She’s done a lot of costume work in various locales, such as St. Scholastica, Lyric Opera of the North and Zeitgeist Arts. She’s designed for everything from classical opera to a dog fashion show.
“It’s kind of crazy when you see it all together like this,” Howell said.
Sketches by costume and fashion designer Sasha Howell lay on the floor of the Kruk Gallery as Howell works on her upcoming show at UWS on Monday afternoon.
Jed Carlson / Duluth Media Group
The exhibition also highlights community relationships and collaborative projects, including work by students, local artists and friends. She said she would feel wrong not showcasing work by other artists and students in the space as well.
“I mean, all of costume design is about community-building. It doesn’t get done in a vacuum,” Howell said. “I had to reach out and include these amazing fellow artists.”
Howell said she hopes viewers walk away feeling creatively inspired and recognize costume as an artistic and accessible field.
“I hope people find inspiration and come knock on my door to get some sewing lessons and rent a costume — to see what’s possible when we work together and create,” Howell said.
Rebel Threads is the next evolution of Howell’s work, connecting costume design with teaching, sewing lessons, costume rental and community building. The business operates also as a studio makerspace where people can “learn to express themselves through fashion and identity.” It is set up in the Historic Post Office on Tower Avenue.
Sasha Howell looks down at a painting of her by artist Sarah Brokke.
Jed Carlson / Duluth Media Group
Multiple pieces by costume and fashion designer Sasha Howell are ready to be moved inside the Kruk Gallery at UWS on Sept. 14.
Jed Carlson / Duluth Media Group
Teri Cadeau is a reporter for the Superior Telegram. Originally from the Iron Range, Cadeau has worked for several community newspapers in the Duluth area, including the Duluth Budgeteer News, Western Weekly, Weekly Observer, Lake County News-Chronicle, Duluth News Tribune and occasionally, the Cloquet Pine Journal. When not working, she’s an avid reader, crafter, dancer, trivia fanatic and cribbage player.