Emergency Arts, the creative collective at the corner of Sixth Street and East Fremont that is now a hub for urban dwellers, downtown business workers and culture-seekers, opened less than a year ago in what was formerly Fremont Medical Center.  Today, Emergency Arts is continuing to evolve and expand. Husband and wife co-owners, Michael and Jennifer Cornthwaite, share a vision to bring together working artists, writers, photographers, clothing designers, musicians and other creative types within more than 30 individual boutiques and studios. Some of the newest additions include a hair salon, Blow Downtown, which opened in January, as well as a yoga studio, Vegas Zen, which celebrates its grand opening March 3.

The co-op spirit among the tenants fosters a sense of community, creativity and mutual support that sets Emergency Arts apart from traditional retail centers or galleries. Trust and cooperation allow multiple studio owners to coordinate and share supervision of the businesses, which helps keep the spaces open for a greater number of hours and days than the owners could support as individuals.

Two of the clothing boutiques, Altered Nation Designs and Flockflockflock take the community spirit a step further and regularly partner to hold charitable events. On Saturday, February 12 they will host “Valentine’s Couture” at The Beat Coffeehouse inside Emergency Arts.  The café space will be transformed into a runway for an upbeat fashion show featuring off-the-wall garments crafted by local designers using Valentine’s cards, candies and decorations.

Proceeds from the $5 suggested donation as well as a raffle for art, gift certificates and more benefit the not-for-profit Children’s Heart Foundation, supporting congenital heart defect research. Valentine’s Couture is the third “Couture Community Challenge,” created by Altered Nation Designs owner Susan Tosches-Deneau and Flockflockflock owner Jennifer Henry, following Halloween and Christmas events last year. Thus far, the gatherings have raised nearly $800 for local charities Opportunity Village and Blind Center of Nevada.

The event runs from 7 to 9 p.m. Ages 21+ welcome to attend; beer, wine and food will be available for purchase.

Contact Susan at susan@alterednationdesigns.com or Jennifer at jenhen@flockflockflock.com for more information on Valentine’s Couture.

Photo: Handmade cellophane dress by Jennifer Henry of Flockflockflock; modeled by Chani Leavitt; photo by Corlene Byrd