Dennita Sewell moved from New York City to Phoenix to become the Curator of Fashion Design at the Phoenix Art Museum in January of 2000 bringing six years experience as Collections Manager at Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute and an MFA in Design from the Yale School of Drama to the valley. Dennita organizes three exhibitions a year in the Museum’s Fashion Design Gallery. Showing the depth and comprehensiveness of the 5,000 collection and bringing in high quality examples of contemporary fashion design are two mechanisms that Sewell uses to educate about design, gender, history, social psychology, theory, and craftsmanship through clothing. From motorcycle jackets to couture vintage and contemporary, Dennita has created over 20 original exhibitions in her seven years at Phoenix Art Museum.

In addition she develops lecture programs both inside and out of the institution to increase an understanding of and support for the Fashion Design and the Museum’s Collection and its importance as a cultural treasure of the valley. A vast curiosity and lifelong love of textiles and clothing fuel Sewell’s passion for sharing this valuable resource with the community.
 

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