They make a way. - Maryland Institute College of Art

Karen Feliz ’14 FIBER
& Morel Doucet ’13 SCULPTURE
2012 Annual Benefit Fashion Show Directors
“Although there are different types of artists and designers in the
world, it is our responsiblity as artists to influence the world around
us. As artists we have to find that balance between motivating
people around a vision and keeping people flexible and open to
other possibilities.” Morel Doucet ’13
“I think it is important for artists and designers to be able to motivate
people around a vision because it opens up the way we experience
things. As artists and designers, we primarily use sight as our main
source of information/inspiration but the inclusion of so many other
elements deepens our understanding of a vision.” Karen Feliz ’14
One of MICA’s premier annual events, the Annual
Benefit Fashion Show, is largely organized by
students, with support from the Office of Diversity
and Intercultural Development. For 2012 show
directors Morel Doucet and Karen Feliz, it was
preparation to reach their career goals–Doucet as
an art director and small business owner, and Feliz
as a curator and textile designer. The Miami natives
both attended the highly regarded New World
School of the Arts magnet high school there.
Began under the leadership of Dr. Frankie Martin,
then-director of Multi-ethnic Student Programs,
the show continues to exceed expectations.
The 2012 incarnation, Transcends, allowed the
audience to peek into the inner workings of the
designer’s brain by viewing garments created as
a manifestation of their inner thoughts. The show
made the larger point that the garments people
choose to wear consciously or unconsciously
reflect their innermost impulses.
Doucet and Feliz both cite the ability to work with
a team as a crucial skill in the professional paths
they want to pursue. They called on their networking
and research skills to design the innovative show,
LEFT: 2012 Annual Benefit Fashion Show Co-directors Morel Doucet ’13 (left) and Karen Feliz ’14 (right).
and say that their communication skills improved,
as they were able to use their management experience
to help them learn to delegate, budget, plan
events, and meet deadlines.
They both stress that collaboration is the key to
extraordinary success. Behind the curtain, they
worked for almost a year to convert a small seed
of an idea into a multi-level extravaganza. They
couldn’t do it alone, however. Graphics, make-up,
jewelry, production, and marketing teams—not
to mention the student designers featured in the
show—were organized to generate excitement
before and during the show and ensure that
the audience had an unforgettable experience.
Because of their participation in Transcend, many
students were featured in local newspapers and
blogs, which expanded their support base.
The most important lesson the team learned
may have been that possibilities are almost
endless when talented people work together.
Doucet points out that “there is only so much
you can achieve working on your own.” Once they
put together their team, Feliz says, there was
“an everlasting stream of artistic development.”
EMERGENCE
MARYLAND INSTITUTE COLLEGE OF ART 2012 ANNUAL REPORT
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