In a collaboration blending art, fashion and mental health awareness, Kent State University’s School of Fashion has partnered with the Peg’s Foundation to present “Dalí Beyond Time,” an exhibit featuring works by Salvador Dalí, a surrealist artist. 

The Salvador Dalí exhibit came to life through a remarkable collaboration that included Scabal, a luxury fabric company known for its connection to Dalí himself. Courtney Cable, lead of arts and communications at Peg’s Foundation, discussed this group effort.

“I don’t think this could’ve happened without the trifecta of collaborators, Kent State’s School of Fashion, Peg’s Foundation and Scabal,” Cable said. “Together, we were able to bring this conversation to life on a much larger scale. Peg’s has this mantra, ‘Think bigger,’ and that really guided the entire project.”

The exhibit made its North American debut at Peg’s Gallery in Hudson, Ohio, where Dalí’s dreamlike world was reimagined through surrealist-inspired garments designed by Kent State fashion students. Supported by industry partners, the project gave students a unique opportunity to work closely with professionals and gain exposure beyond the classroom. Daniel Fladung, assistant professor at Kent State’s School of Fashion, shared his experience with the exhibit.

“Everyone involved was fully engaged,” Fladung said. “Pegs was an amazing partner, and so was Scabal. They offered so much to our students, especially since, as a Midwest school, we often have less exposure to the industry.”

The garments created by students were displayed in multiple stages throughout the week, allowing the work to be appreciated in various formats. 

“We showcased the garments in three different ways,” Cable said. “First, during a VIP runway show with models in front of about 200 guests. After that, we displayed them on mannequins in a runway-style setup in the gallery, and by Thursday, we transitioned everything into a more traditional exhibit format for the public.”

Each student brought their own vision to the project, and faculty made space for that individuality by tailoring instruction to the students’ strengths. 

“Every student brings their own perspective, so guiding them means curating the curriculum individually,” Fladung said. “We give them prompts, but each student creates something completely unique based on their own creative vision.”

Planning the gallery layout took strategic foresight, especially with one featured piece scheduled to travel to New York after the exhibit. 

“I had to design the show backwards, thinking ahead to how it would evolve over the summer,” Cable said. “The ‘Best of Show’ piece is going to New York, which is incredible. So I placed the original works prominently, knowing the paintings will be deinstalled after July 5.”

Despite the excitement, the students initially felt astonished by the opportunity to work on this project and the prestige of working alongside Dalí’s legacy. 

“When we first introduced the project, the students were shocked by its scale, especially knowing the Dalí paintings would be here,” Fladung said. “That pressure actually motivated them to push themselves and create their best designs within just six weeks.”

Visitors of the gallery are greeted with a striking visual presentation, including oversized images of Dalí and Scabal’s founder, Otto Hertz. 

“As you walk into the gallery, we wanted the left-hand side to highlight Scabal,” Cable said. “There are two oversized window wraps — one features a black and white image of Otto Hertz and Salvador Dalí in conversation during the 1970s, which Scabal approved for our use. Dalí appears larger than life on one side, Hertz on the other, and through the pivot glass door, you can catch a beautiful glimpse into the gallery.”

For Fladung, fashion itself is an intimate art form, one inherently tied to self-image and emotional well-being, which made it an ideal lens for exploring Dalí’s mental health.

“Fashion is really about the individual,” he said. “As designers, our task is to make people feel good and confident when they wear our clothes. What’s unique is that our medium is the human body, which naturally connects to mental health, making it a perfect space for these important conversations.”

Mental health was not just a theme; it became embedded in the creative process, beginning with research into Dalí’s personal struggles. 

“The students researched Dalí’s mental health early on,” Cable said. “As they started designing in their junior semester, they shared insights about his psychological history I hadn’t yet explored. This created a meaningful connection, directly influencing their designs.”

These varied interpretations of Dalí’s life gave the final collection a rich, layered complexity. 

“Some students really focused on the visuals and surrealism of Dalí’s work, while others delved into his relationship with mental health,” Fladung said. “Each was inspired by different aspects of his life and art, which made the show incredibly dynamic and rich in perspective.”

By the time the exhibit opened, Cable said the pride and emotion in the room were undeniable. 

“We had so much enthusiasm from the students — and from their parents, too,” Cable said. “There were a lot of parents here Thursday night, and we actually had a couple of really tearful moments. It was incredibly moving.”

For some of the collaborators, this marked the first time they publicly exhibited their work in such a way, adding another layer of excitement to the event. 

“They had never actually exhibited artwork on-site before, only an educational component tied to some of their fabric,” Cable said. “So this is the first time they’ve done something like this, and I’m really interested to see what comes next. They seemed genuinely excited about it.”

Savannah Carroll is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].