A Pittsburgh Story of Creativity, Sustainability, Remembrance, and the People Creating Change
Photography and Story by Wendy Jean Schell
What began as a creative vision more than a decade ago has evolved into something far greater than a fashion show.
On September 30, 2026, Pittsburgh’s creative community gathered at The Pennsylvanian for Pittsburgh Earth Day’s 11th Annual Ecolution Fashion Gala. The evening celebrated the 
transformative power of art, fashion, and sustainability. Yet, beneath the bold designs and vibrant runway was a deeply personal story of resilience, remembrance, and the people whose influence continues long after they are gone.
For producer Ronda Zegarelli, this year’s event carried special meaning.
Following a year of unexpected changes, including adjustments to the event’s schedule and venue, Zegarelli reflected on the people who helped sustain the vision—and on the loss of her father, Arnold Zegarelli.
In her welcome letter, she dedicated Ecolution 2026 to him, honoring a man who encouraged creativity, embraced change, and believed in finding the greater good.
Her closing words captured the spirit of the evening:
“Creativity prevails. The vision continues. And the show must go on.” A Legacy Beyond the Runway
That spirit extended beyond one family’s story.
The evening also honored the late artist Patricia “Patty” Gallagher, whose final three couture creations from her collection Yerba Buena were presented on the runway.
Created with repurposed theatrical, dance, and vintage materials, Gallagher’s work reflected the imagination and artistic expression that Ecolution continues to celebrate.
Her final collection served as a reminder that an artist’s legacy lives not only in what they create, but in the people they inspire.
Creativity That Creates Change
Ecolution’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond fashion.
This year’s Model Citizen Award recognized Danielle Crumrine, executive director of Tree Pittsburgh, for her longstanding 
environmental leadership and dedication to strengthening Pittsburgh’s urban forest.
Her work, including the transformation of a former industrial riverfront property into Tree Pittsburgh’s campus, reflects the possibilities that emerge when environmental stewardship, community collaboration, and vision come together.
For a region shaped by industry and reinvention, her recognition carried particular significance. The Evolution Continues
Throughout the evening, designers transformed discarded and repurposed materials into wearable art, challenging audiences to reconsider what we value, what we waste, and what we might reimagine.
Behind each creation were the artists, models, organizers, and supporters whose collective efforts brought the vision to life.
Together, the stories of Zegarelli, Gallagher, and Crumrine reveal something important about the evolution of Ecolution.
Sustainability is not only about what we reuse or recycle. It is about what we choose to preserve, what we invest in, and what 
we leave for the next generation.
From a father’s enduring influence to an artist’s final collection and a community leader’s environmental legacy, Ecolution reminds us that meaningful change often begins with someone willing to imagine something different.
And sometimes, creativity is the very thing that brings those possibilities to life.
Photography and Article by Wendy Jean Schell, CFGP, CHHC, CFNE
Founder, Clicks for a Cause
Board of Directors, Global Sisterhood
About the Author
Wendy Jean Schell is a fine art Professional photographer, visual storyteller, Certified Functional Genomics Practitioner, Certified Holistic Health Coach, and Certified Functional Nutrition Expert. With a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography and a professional background in fashion, portraiture, and editorial storytelling, she brings an artist’s perspective to environmental health education, functional wellness, and community advocacy.
Through Clicks for a Cause, Wendy explores the connections between creativity, environmental sustainability, human health, and the people making a meaningful difference throughout Western Pennsylvania.
Explore her photography, personal stories, and ongoing advocacy at
www.clicks4acause.com/guides.
Website: www.clicks4acause.com
Email: wendy@clicks4acause.com
