Debuting in October 2010 in Palm Springs, Calif., as a family weekend getaway, Crafting Community encourages family togetherness through the artistic reuse and repurpose of natural materials. For that event, Splendid joined as a partner, explains Julia Austin, public relations director for the company.

“Crafting Community brought the Splendid brand to life in such a way that attending families had the opportunity to have a unique hands-on experience with the brand and its fabrics through creative art workshops, activities and at the ‘Sew Splendid’ pop-up shop on-site,” she says.

Coblentz worked with Kimmel to create an art piece for a recent exhibition, Southwest Net: Drawing Outside the Lines. For this, Kimmel visited Scottsdale to work with fourth grade students at The Phoenix School for the Deaf. Through Kimmel’s Art of Exchange Workshop and original artist stencils, the group created a site-specific interactive installation for SMoCA.

“When we decided to head to Scottsdale it seemed there was no better fit than to partner with SMoCA, an organization in the Valley that strives to bring culture, unique experiences and expose children to art and culture,” Kimmel explains.

Notes SMoCA’s director, Tim Rodgers: “Our two comics exhibitions and the new Art + Architecture installation have been conceived just for SMoCA, so you won’t be able to see these works any place else.”

“The comic-inspired exhibitions boast a sofa, bean bag chairs, comic books and a life-size bear costume,” he adds, “and the special crafting activities in conjunction with the new Splendid store make it a well-rounded evening, full of new ideas and experiences — perfect for adults, and the kids will like it, too.”

For more information about the exhibitions and the June 24 evening event, see www.smoca.org.