Time to broach the subject of buttons

Collectible buttons and French haute couture fashions will offer a trip into the past at the Fiber Arts Studio Gallery at the Lincoln City Cultural Center from Friday, Jan. 7, through Sunday, Feb. 20.

And you can get all buttoned up to attend the live opening reception at 5 pm on Friday, Jan. 7.

The exhibit, curated by the Oregon State Button Society, will dazzle, delight and draw attention to and appreciation for buttons and their rich history.

Buttons are traditionally displayed on trays with a commonality in subject, material, time period or technique. This exhibit features 21 different trays from the collection of Holly Derderian.

This exquisite show ensures you will never look at buttons the same way again; so much art and history in a little button.

Formed in 1947, the Oregon State Button Society encourages education about the history of buttons in trim and fashion, including their manufacture and use, and promotes the collection and preservation of them as cultural artifacts.

The show also features eight mannequins that showcase handwoven fabrics and original fashion designs reminiscent of 1945, made by Portland Handweavers’ Guild members.

The PHG Mannequin Project was conceived of as a way to honor the French people of 1945 and Portland Handweavers Guild, which was started in the same year.

Dakotah Fitzhugh sculpted and created the show’s mannequins, using Theatre de la Mode mannequins as inspiration

For more information about button clubs and shows in Oregon, go to oregonbuttonsociety.org. For more information about the Portland Handweavers’ Guild go to portlandhandweaversguild.org.

The Fiber Arts Studio Gallery is located inside the Lincoln City Cultural Center at 540 NE Hwy. 101 and is open Thursday through Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm. For more information, go to lincolncity-culturalcenter.org.