4th Runway Revival sees more artists, youth than ever before

By Colton Kemp, Northfield News

August 18, 2026

More than 350 ticketed guests and a record number of artists came out to the Community Action Center’s Runway Revival for its fourth year Thursday at the Carleton College Weitz Center for Creativity.

This year’s event featured 22 adult artists and, for the first time, a separate youth showcase with nine participants. Anika Rychner, senior director of the CAC and one of the evening’s emcees, said the youth showcase grew out of increased interest from younger artists.

“So many youth were getting involved in it. So we decided to have a youth showcase separate from an adult showcase,” she said. “We have the most artists we’ve had ever.”

The event also shifted its format this year. Instead of emcees introducing each artist, organizers pre-recorded video interviews with participants, allowing designers to explain their pieces in their own words. The audience was also able to vote on their favorites among the youth, the adults and an overall best in show.

This year’s theme was “Wild,” challenging artists to interpret the prompt however they chose. The outfits are meant to be made of recycled materials.

“I was thinking about the wildfires because we were way up on the Canadian border, and I had all these onion bags from the food shelf, and so I made a jacket and a hat out of onion bags,” Rychner said, adding that her hat looks like a “flame.”

Cassie Meza, the CAC’s Faribault food access manager and the evening’s other emcee, wore an outfit made from cut-up CAC sweatshirts assembled into puzzle pieces.

“Cutting them alone was like 14 hours. It was insane,” Meza said. “It took me 48 hours to complete the pants.”

Both emcees acknowledged nerves heading into the event, but said the cause outweighed the jitters.

“I’m terrified. Last night my hands were shaking so bad,” Meza said. “I hide it very well, and that’s what everybody says. But it’s all just about the cause, and it’s all about the people. I just love it all, so it’s worth it.”

Meza said emceeing was itself a statement.

“I’m doing it to show people who are really shy that you can do this,” she said. “I actually didn’t even talk to strangers until I was in my mid 20s.”

Meza has been involved with Runway Revival since its first year, serving on the planning committee and designing pieces three years. Her first creation was a dress made of coffee filters dyed with coffee. Last year, she made a flower girl dress out of dryer sheets.

Runway Revival is the CAC’s signature annual fundraiser, with proceeds supporting housing programs, food access, diaper and menstrual product distribution and the organization’s resource center.

The event also featured a raffle with items donated by local businesses and a silent auction. Displayed dresses created by artist Dina Fessler, who helped launch the first Runway Revival before moving away, were made of trash materials and donated to the CAC for display.

Rychner said the crowd’s energy was apparent well before the show began.

“People came at 5:30 trying to buy tickets,” she said. “I don’t know what our walk-up numbers will look like, but that’s pretty exciting.”

She also pointed to the youth lineup as a highlight.

“The kids that are in it this year are pretty amazing,” she said. “… Every single one is unique and different. I don’t even have a favorite. They’re just all amazing.”

Some days after the event, Rychner said the event was a success.

“We are thrilled with how the event turned out and are already looking forward to next year,” she said. “Each year we try a few new things to improve both the artist and audience experience, and one of the best compliments we have received year over year is what a joyful, inclusive and fun community event it is. We are taking ideas for next year’s theme.”