Students put heart into Feilding Wearable Arts Competiton

Taihape Area School students entered in Feilding Wearable Arts Competition are (from left) Erika Ellers, Caryse Clark, Mac Morgan and Cheyanne Hurunui.

Hoping they have prizewinning entries in the Wearable Arts Evento competition in Feilding next month are four Taihape Area School students.

The students include 15-year-old art student Mac Morgan, who said he had been designing all his life.

"I got the hang of it really quickly and I love it.''

The four say the competition categories are really inventive and "very cool" including Plastic Lids, Asian Inspired, All Green and Coffee Maker.

Their creations were taken to Feilding last week by the organisers, they said.

"No one is allowed to see them before the competition so they make sure they're well locked away,'' they said.

Mac had chosen Plastic Lids which was a fantastic pop art selection.

"It is so me. Lots of plastic and bright colours as well a pair of big bright plastic boots.''

Erika Ellers, 15, said it was good to concentrate your energy on one category.

"It makes you really think about what wearable arts is all about. It really helps me think, especially within just one category."

Caryse Clark, 15, loved that it was all about upcycling and recycling.

"I have used some old heavy curtains and my design is very simple from the front but the back is detailed and very complicated.''

Cheanne Hurunui, 17, said it's basically about what you can find lying around.

"It's fun and very creative.''

People would be amazed at how much work goes into wearable art creations. It starts with sketches and goes from there, Caryse said.

"But to reach a high standard is quite difficult. It's a lot of work but I love it.''

The four students say art is a passion for them.

Over the past thee years the overall competition has been won by former student Millie Law from Taihape Area School.

Evento, the Feilding High School's Wearable Art Show has become a major event in attracting visitors and sponsorship from across the region.

Now in its 16th year, it has grown in popularity and professionalism to the extent that it is now held at Manfeild Park Stadium to an audience of 2000 people. The show includes music, dance and performance art, as well as wearable art; all created by secondary school students.