By BJDcollectasy, Kiyakotari, Grace Szczepaniec and Dorothy Drake
Uncanny Dreams began as a quirky and unique display of creativity with BJDs but has since become a tradition for doll lovers in the Pacific Northwest. While originally a stand-alone event, last year the diorama showcase became a part of Pacific Northwest Ball-Jointed Doll Expo for the first time. This year continues the tradition.
The 1st 3 years:
There was a sales floor and some sets that visitors could use as backdrops to photograph their dolls, but the primary purpose of Uncanny Dreams was to show off a curated selection of unique displays. The selected artists built elaborately crafted settings to accompany their customized BJDs.
Candygears (artist Redd Walitzki) was the originator of Uncanny Dreams in 2011, and she was also the one who chose its evocative title. Redd hosted the first show in her studio and gallery space. The show theme was Articulated Fantasy. Artists were welcome to interpret the theme however they wished, or ignore the theme and create whatever they wanted. The following year, Candygears handed the event title and administration over to Fenris. Uncanny Dreams returned in 2012 with the theme Into the Labyrinth. In 2013, the last free-standing show, also run by Fenris, was called Circus of Mysteries. After this point the event languished.
Uncanny Dreams revived:
At first Uncanny Dreams appeared to have ended its run, then Grace Szczepaniec, owner of Jpop Dolls agreed to bring back the show. She explained, “(Fenris’) work schedule became too hectic and she asked me if I would take over. After a couple years of no show, I decide to align the show with the PNW (Pacific Northwest Ball-Jointed Doll Expo). Dorothy Drake intends to make this the biggest BJD show in the USA. What better place to have Uncanny Dreams?” This year, Grace has been working with fellow doll aficionado Kiyakotari to promote and run this year’s event. Both originally had tables in the showroom at the very first show.
The entrants in the revived Uncanny Dreams are still able to interpret the Expo theme as they wish or to go in any direction they choose. The event is listed in the contest section of PNW. Dorothy Drake believes that the art event is a perfect fit. “I feel that diorama creators use a free-flow with their imagination. The different details and ingenuity are amazing in the interpretation of the same theme. I am fascinated by the scale and intricacy of each one and look forward to the entries every year.”
Uncanny Dreams 2017: photos from PNW Expo
Uncanny Dreams 1st year: photos by Kiyakotari
