WOW STORIES: ON CREATIVITY, TENACITY AND DREAMS

As part of our 30th birthday celebration, we’re thrilled to go back to where the Festival started: alongside WOW! 

Since it was established in 1987, World of WearableArt has embraced the worlds of art and design, running an international competition that culminates in a spectacular theatrical performance each year. The exhilarating WOW Show is a visual feast for audiences and an opportunity for designers to be recognised and celebrated on the world stage. In 1995, the inaugural Nelson Arts Festival, in its current form, took place as a wrap-around event for WOW and to encourage visitors to the region to stay longer. 

“WOW rewards the curious, the courageous and those who are passionate enough to stand in the face of self-doubt and embrace creativity no matter the cost” – Dame Suzie Moncrieff 

As the closing event of our 30th festival, we look forward to taking a look behind the scenes of the WOW phenomenon – please join us for an entertaining kōrero with Dame Suzie Moncrieff, show director Malia Johnston and 2023 Supreme Award Winner and Whakatū-local Gill Saunders.   

Image Credit: Gill Saunders, Earthling, photographed at the 2023 WOW Show, BEYOND.