Published: August 15, 2008 01:38 pm            

A heads-up on display at local arts center

By TOM LAVIS

TLAVIS@TRIBDEM.COM

A lot of women let fashion go to their heads, but that practice will be encouraged during the newest exhibit at the Community Arts Center of Cambria County in Westmont.

Two Hornerstown women, Marsha McDowell and Pat Holifield, aka The Hat Ladies of Johnstown, have selected a portion of their 500 hats to embody the “Hats Off: The Hat as Design Exhibit,” which runs Monday through Sept. 2.

“The hat show is more than entertainment, it’s an education,” said Holifield.

“Our collection has been 20 years in the making.”

The public will have an opportunity to learn about the history, care and design of hats during a special opening reception from 1 to 3 p.m. Aug. 24.

The women will show vintage and modern hats that they have collected in a presentation titled “Hats of Old and New.”

“We have some historic hats, including one that dates back to the 1800s,” Holifield said.

“It is a pillbox hat from Paris and is kept in its original box. It is in mint condition and not one feather is out of place.”

Other historic hats will be in the exhibit, including several that honor Johnstown’s African-American culture.

“We do have some hats that have some historic significance,” Holifield said.

“Some were worn by prominent businesswomen, such as Pauline Gordon, the first female African-American mortician in Johnstown.”

Visitors attending the 38th annual Log House Arts Festival during the Labor Day weekend will have an opportunity to view the exhibit.

Rose Mary Hagadus, arts center executive director, said anytime she walks into a room and sees several women wearing hats, it always elicits a positive response.

“Because of the color, fabric and design of a hat, it’s always a pleasant visual,” Hagadus said.

“When visitors see this gallery of 100 hats, they will better recognize and appreciate the effort that went into the design that created a compact artistic object.”

Holifield said a hat often evokes confidence in a woman.

“It gives the wearer a kind of boost we call ‘hattitude,’ the grace of wearing hats with the right attitude,” Holifield said.

“People who have seen our show go away with a renewed spirit and exhilaration.”

The women will demonstrate how to wear hats, restore them and properly store them.

“We like to say the best place to put a quilt is on a bed and the best place for a hat is on the head,” Holifield said.

The women agree that a showcase for flamboyant hats is seen every year on the first Saturday of May.

“There are no classier hats on display than during the running of the Kentucky Derby,” Holifield said. “We tune in not to see the horse race; it’s all about the hats for us.”

There was a time when a woman would not enter a church without something covering her head, Holifield said.

Women will wear specific hats for different occasions.

Some are modest while others are very colorful and flamboyant.

“Marsha is more conservative when it comes to hats, where I love the larger, more flamboyant styles,” Holifield said.

Four years ago the women decided to take their hat show on the road, and it has been a rousing success.

“We go into senior centers, do church programs and other venues,” Holifield said. “Hats can be representative of someone’s personality.”

The women obtained many of their hats in New York City, Chicago and Atlanta.

“We also do yard sales and thrift stores,” Holifield said.

Hagadus said it would be nice if area women attending the show would top off their visit in a stylish manner.

“We invite women to wear their hats to the opening reception,” Hagadus said.



On exhibit

What: “Hats Off: The Hat as Design Exhibit.”

Where: Community Arts Center of Cambria County, 1217 Menoher Blvd., Westmont.

When: Monday through Sept. 2.

Admission: Free.

        

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