One Night Only: Runway Meets Culinary & Creative Science

On Thursday, September 25, the Ventana Gallery in Oro Valley transforms into a living runway for Echoes of Innovation — a one-night-only wearable art experience unlike anything Arizona has ever seen.

For $75, you’ll enjoy: Full Wearable Art Gallery – Over 70 original fashion pieces inspired by cancer research imagery, created by top regional & national designers.

Runway Performance – Avant-garde fashion meets movement, storytelling, and spectacle. Over 15 models of all ages will walk the runway, featuring original wearable art creations from Sonoran Stitch Factory, students from University of Arizona and Pima Community College, Hem and Her as well as the Vessel Project, featuring one-of a kind show stopping fashions inspired by theatre, science and art.

Chef-Curated Culinary Edible Art Experiences – Small plates, grazing installations, and tasting tables designed by Arizona’s most imaginative chefs. Culinary experiences will be inspired by histology stains, and you will be able to experience edible art.

Histology Inspired Cocktail Pairings – Art in a glass, crafted to complement the evening’s flavors, colors and creative flair.

Live Music All Night – Harp, violin, and pop/classical duos set the soundtrack to this immersive experience.

Echoes of Innovation: Wearable Art Exhibition & Runway Show Ventana Gallery at Roche Tissue Diagnostics 1910 E Innovation Park Drive 5pm-7:30pm | Tickets $75/each

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE – LIMITED AVAILABILITY

5 PM – 6:30 PM – Exclusive first look at over 70 original wearable art pieces, produced by local artists in the featured Ventana Galleries at Roche, alongside live music, food and drink pairings.
6:30 PM – Sit along the fashion runway and experience a one-of-a kind fashion showcase alongside a colorful dessert presentation, lively music and be inspired by the creativity, and intersection of art and science.
Every bite, sip, and step down the runway tells a story — weaving together art, science, and innovation.

The Menu Teases:

Watermelon Pesto Canapés & “Everything” Lox SushiCustom Grazing Tables Inspired by Microscopic TexturesSeared Lamb with Whipped Burrata, Beef Carpaccio with Blue Cheese, and Shrimp Ceviche with Pomegranate TuileCornmilk Tres Leches Bites for the perfect finaleMore exciting food, wine, and art inspired dishes will be featured throughout the evening.

Why Your Ticket Matters

Your attendance directly supports the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance’s statewide programs integrating arts into healthcare, education, and public life — funding artists, mentorship, and community impact projects. Special thanks to the Town of Oro Valley, Roche Tissue Diagnostics and all of the inspiring artists who will make this a night to remember in Oro Valley, AZ. 

A Fashion Laboratory for Storytelling and Healing 

At the heart of this event is a bold reinterpretation of cancer diagnostics as creative expression. Working in collaboration with Roche Tissue Diagnostics, SAACA, and Sonoran Stitch Factory, student designers from the University of Arizona, Pima Community College, and Stitch Lab are being mentored to transform scientific imagery into meaningful, wearable narratives. 
“At Sonoran Stitch Factory, we believe in the power of wearable art to tell stories that matter—stories of curiosity, collaboration, and transformation,” said Erica Yngve, Owner, and Maggie Marquez, Production Manager, of Sonoran Stitch Factory. “This partnership gives students a platform to showcase their creativity while shining a spotlight on the groundbreaking research and development happening right here in our community.” 
The runway show, featuring ASU performance artist and educator Rachel Bowditch, will feature contributions from Sonoran Stitch Lab, Vessel, MakeFashion Edu, and Hem & Her, presenting avant-garde collections that blend sculptural fashion, movement, and storytelling. 

Gastronomy, Music, and Immersive Experience 

Just as histological stains reveal hidden structures within the body, the evening’s culinary team aims to do the same through taste. Featured culinary offerings include: 
Chef Pablo Valencia of Scratching the Plate: Watermelon Pesto Canapé “Everything” Lox Sushi with cucumber and cream cheese Cornmilk Tres Leches Bites

“There’s a striking parallel between the way I design my grazing tables and the visual language of histology stains,” says Emili Krzyzanowski of Humble Board. “From a distance, each table appears beautiful and composed, but it’s only when you look closer that the intricate details and flowing compositions come into focus. There are little rivers, pockets, and moments throughout that make every table unique. I especially love photographing them from above, capturing a perspective you don’t usually get, just like examining cellular structures under a microscope.” Live musical performances from Dos Sueños (Pop/Classical), Rebecca Foreman (Harpist), and Nick Coventry (Violinist) will enhance the ambiance, transforming the gallery into a multi-sensory canvas.  

Art That Lives Beyond the Runway 

The evening also launches a 4-month exhibition of all featured wearable works at the Ventana Gallery. Members of the public may book appointments to tour the gallery post-event through January 2026. Artists working in fashion, textiles, and wearable forms (hats, shoes, handbags, jewelry, dresses, and more) are invited to submit their work by August 15, 2025, to be considered for inclusion in the exhibition.

Submission details available at saaca.org. 

Fundraising for a More Creative Future 

Unlike past gallery events, Echoes of Innovation is a ticketed fundraising event that directly benefits SAACA’s statewide efforts to weave the arts into healthcare, public life, and education. Proceeds will help fund artist commissions, mentorship opportunities, and community programming rooted in creative expression. 

“This is more than an event—it’s a call to action,” said Amanda Staples, SAACA Artistic Programs Manager. “We’re inviting our community to celebrate what’s possible when scientific excellence meets creative vision.” Why It MattersProceeds from Echoes of Innovation directly support the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance (SAACA) and its statewide mission to integrate the arts into every aspect of life, from healthcare and education to business and community development.

In a world where creativity is often undervalued in scientific and professional spaces, this event challenges that divide by proving that innovation flourishes where art and science intersect.By attending this event, guests are doing more than witnessing a groundbreaking fusion of fashion and diagnostics. They’re investing in a more creative, inclusive, and inspired future. Every ticket sold helps fund artist commissions, educational programs, and year-round initiatives that use the arts to heal, connect, and drive meaningful change across Arizona communities. This is art with purpose, style with substance, and community impact stitched into every seam.

Reserve Your Spot Today!

Tickets are available now at saaca.thundertix.com/. Experience the collision of art and science. Celebrate creativity in every stitch, stain, and sip. Support the future of the arts in Arizona.

About SAACA

The Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance (SAACA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the community through arts, culture, and creativity. Through innovative collaborations, SAACA creates dynamic programs and events that promote cultural engagement, economic development, and artistic excellence.

Submit your Wearable Original Artwork to the Gallery Exhibition & Receive Free Tickets to attend the Event – Learn More and Submit your Work Here

For more information on the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance and upcoming events, visit www.saaca.org.