It's
AvantGarb TV

In an interview @ AvantGarb's studio, I talk about the how, where and why of mascots and a bit of how the heck i got into the mascot biz!
Enjoy!

Which mascot has the Nikes?

AvantGarb's studio is filled with mascots in various stages of completion. There's lotsa fuzz, fur, bling, sequins, foam, people, mannequins, sewing machines, drills, a band saw, glue guns, spools and spools of thread, photos, ribbon and stuff stuff stuff. What I'm trying to say is that there's plenty to look at, touch and ponder . The place is really visually over-the-top.

In the midst of all the stuff of AvantGarb was a mascot-sized pair of Nikes. They were a visual magnet for everyone who came into AvantGarb. Everyone said, "Who's the mascot who gets the Nikes?" It was like there was nothing else in the room but the mascot-sized Nikes---well they are really big shoes!

LUCKY, the Portland Beaver's mascot is the lucky mascot who gets Nikes. Nike is a Beaver sponsor, and Lucky the Beaver has some great kicks!

How'd you get into the mascot biz? Part 1!

The mascots found me. Here's a bit of AvantGarb prehistory :

I lived in Seattle in the mid 70's and was part of a group named Friends of the Rag.

We designed and created costumes---we called them "wearable art" and put on performances at, the Seattle Art Museum, the Aquarium, parks, fairs, piers, more museums, country fairs, snazzy society gigs and funky, arty bars.

My first costume was the Sexy Salmon for the opening of the Seattle Aquarium---Seattle is known for salmon, and salmon are known for their sex lives---they spawn!

The second costume was the Formal Clarinet for the Seattle Symphony. I met Joan Mondale, Vice President Walter Mondale's wife, wearing the Clarinet. I met her for the 2nd time in DC during the opening night performance of our show at the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian---this time not wearing the Clarinet. I mentioned that I had met her a few years before as a Clarinet. She remembered---who wouldn't?