The Regalia Project, 2016 - Current
THE REGALIA PROJECT is a contemporary feminist critique of modern academic regalia and its historical roots by artist and Willamette University (Salem, Oregon, USA) Associate Professor of Studio Art Cayla Skillin-Brauchle. Skillin-Brauchle identifies as many things: artist as absurdist, artist as activist, artist as feminist, artist as facilitator of creative expression and inventive problem-solving. Therefore, she sees her physical presence within the academy as an opportunity to reflect upon and discuss the realities and aspirations of her academic community and, as evidenced in this project, have fun. Cayla Skillin-Brauchle constructed and started performing ‘The Regalia Project’ in 2016 during her first year as Assistant Professor. For the last 10 years she has performed it yearly at convocation and commencement as a way to chronicle life in higher education and actively and visibly make space for absurdity, creativity, critical thinking, fun, non-sense, and connection.
Many thanks to the artist and educator Crystal Ann Brown who fabricated the original garment and continues to work with me on the project and Studio Assistants Morgan Murray and Ali Mackie for additional sewing. Photographs by Mario Gallucci and Alexandra Opie.
