Presented by the Port Moody Arts Centre Society, the Wearable Art Awards competition has been encouraging local, Canadian and international artists of all mediums to submit evocative, imaginative, and thought provoking creations for the human body since 2002. Accepted works are juried in a two-step process by a panel of jurors drawn from the fashion and textile industry. To begin, each piece is examined for its creativity, originality, skill in construction and conceptual idea. The final jurying takes place at the performance presentation during which the works are modeled to a live audience and their "wow" factor and presence on the red carpet is evaluated. The performance is followed up by a five-week long exhibition at the end of which a "People's Choice" award is presented based on votes from the public. In total $5,000 is distributed between winners of 10 category and special awards.

The Wearable Art Awards attracts entries from across Canada, the United States, and around the world. In 2009, we received 74 entry applications. Of these, 73 entries created by 59 artists were accepted for the performance and following exhibition. Two 2009 performances took place at the Galleria in Port Moody City Hall and the exhibit at the Gallery at the Port Moody Arts Centre.

The Port Moody Arts Centre Society would like to express thanks to the City of Port Moody and the BC Gaming Commission for their support as well as the corporations and volunteers that donate to make this unique Canadian event a reality. We look forward to showcasing the work of the many artists working around the world in the wearable art artistic genre.

Exhibition during the 2010 Vancouver/Whistler Winter Olympic Games

The 2010 Wearable Art Awards was a two-month long exhibition (February - March) at 11 sites throughout the Port Moody area. The purpose of limiting the event to an exhibition was to provide an ongoing point of interest for guests in the region for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The exhibition included both new entries and retrospective entries (entries from past Wearable Art Awards). In total there were approximately 100 garments on display, making it the largest exhibition ever hosted by the Port Moody Arts Centre.

Over the course of the two months approximately 600 ballots were cast in the public’s selection of Indiana's Kimberly Andert’s Lady Liberty Camouflaged as the winner of the 2010 Pasta Polo People’s Choice Award. T. Littlewood captured the Pacific Coast Terminals Mantel Category with her button blanket and mask titled, Txa’msen Steals Back Pride. Elena Gregusova won the Georgia Straight Canadian Spirit Category with her paper creation, Dream Catcher, while Pentagram “Apple” Psychic Shield by Claire Murgatroyd took home the Olympic Category win. In total, $2,000 in prize money was presented to the winners of each category and the People's Choice Award.