Creative Carnival
Lake Taupō Hospice presents Creative Carnival, a circus themed weekend of artistry and imagination!
Featuring a spectacular Arcade of Artistry Exhibition and Carnival Catwalk event that promises fun and fundraising in equal measure.
Inviting artists and fashion designers of all ages to create a circus themed art piece or an extraordinary outfit. From a quirky clown painting or carousel creation to a ringmaster suit made from upcycled food packaging, this weekend will be a carnival of fun and imagination.
This extraordinary event is all about showcasing the creativity in our region and giving back to the community, with all proceeds dedicated to supporting the Lake Taupō Hospice.
Creative Carnival is where youth and adults of all ages get to embrace the magic of creativity.
Key Dates & Details:
30th August - Arcade of Artistry Exhibition
31st of August - Carnival Catwalk Fashion Show
Venue - Great Lake Centre
The Arcade of Artistry is a visual arts competition with a two day exhibition in the Great Lake Centre foyer.
We want artists of all ages to embrace their creative nature and use their imagination to create a circus-themed masterpiece.
Entry to this section is FREE, once you enter your artwork will be for sale, with all proceeds going to Lake Taupō Hospice to continue the quality service they provide to the community.
All student age entrants have access to a free sponsored (12 x 10in) canvas.
Link available to register as a teacher or an individual for a free canvas open on 1st of May.
Clowns on Canvas
Age Group - Primary & Intermediate School age Judged in year 1-3, year 4-6, year 7-8
Blurb - It’s time to let the children’s imagination somersault into action when they create the most unforgettable clowns on canvas.
Whether a laughing clown face colourful collage, or a quirky juggler using acrylic paints this art will bring smiles and laughter to all who see it.
Further info
All entries must be on canvas (12 x 10in)
Any medium can be used on canvas.
Artwork must be fully dried, securely glued and not too heavy (due to hanging the canvas)
Projects must completed by just one student
Schools can enter a maximum of 20 canvases.
All artwork entered will be sold for $25 with proceeds going to Lake Taupō Hospice.
Winning entries may be held for up to a month following the event by Lake Taupō Hospice for the purpose of display.
Entries open 1st May until 16th August
All art work must be delivered to the Great Lake Centre in person on Thursday 29th August.
Circus Wonders
Age Group - Secondary School age Judged in year 9-11 and 12-13
Blurb - This isn't just any art competition; it's a thrilling throwback challenge where we encourage young secondary school artists to recreate the mesmerizing, the astonishing, the jaw-dropping allure of old-school Circus and Sideshow Act posters! From the Flying Trapeze artist to the fierce Strongman, from the Tattooed Marvel to the Snake Charmer—dive deep into the intriguing world of vintage circus and sideshow lore.
Further info
All entries must be on canvas or paper (max size A3)
Any medium can be used but must be produced by hand (no digital printing). Avoid making the canvas/poster too heavy for hanging purposes
Artwork and subject must be appropriate for exhibiting to all ages with no offensive images
Projects must completed by just one student
Schools can enter a maximum of 20 canvases/posters.
All artwork entered will be sold for $25 with proceeds going to Lake Taupo Hospice.
Winning entries may be held for up to a month following the event by Lake Taupo Hospice for the purpose of display.
Entries open 1st May until 16th August
All art work must be delivered to the Great Lake Centre in person on Thursday 29th August.
Artists Extravaganza
Age Group - Open section for any age
Blurb -This exhibition is an arena where seasoned artists showcase their extraordinary talent in a circus-themed visual arts competition. We invite them to bring their art piece to life and create a stage for the wild, the whimsical, and the wondrous.
Further info
Any medium can be used although piece must not be larger than 1m x 1m
Maximum of 2 entries per artist
Entries will be sold via silent auction with ALL proceeds going to Lake Taupō Hospice.
Entries open 1st May and all art work must be delivered to the Great Lake Centre in person on Thursday the 29th of August.
The Carnival Catwalk is a wearable arts fashion catwalk showcasing extravagant carnival-fun garments.
We want students and adults, to unleash their creativity and craft the carnival inspired garment spectacle of wearable art!
Early Bird entries open 1st May – 30th June $15. Late entries close 16th August $25.
Winning garments may be held for up to a month following the event by Lake Taupō Hospice for the purpose of display.
Runway Ringmaster
Step right up to the most imaginative and creative fashion challenge of the year: the "Runway Ringmaster" challenge!
Age Group - School Aged Year 4-6 and Year 7-8
This unique competition calls for school-aged creators to step into the shoes of a circus ringmaster, not just metaphorically but literally, by designing a wearable art outfit that reimagines the classic ringmaster's hat and jacket.
Objective - The challenge is to design and construct a wearable art outfit that centres around an iconic ringmaster's hat and jacket. This outfit should not only pay homage to the traditional circus ringmaster’s attire but also push the boundaries of fashion and art, reflecting the creators unique style and vision using glue, staples, or any means under the big top of reinvention. No sewing required, just pure circus-style innovation!"
Further info
Garment must be include a hat and a jacket
Garment must be created by students, adult guidance only
Design team can consist of no more than 3 designers
You can wear the outfit yourself or bring along a model
The garment must be safe for model to wear & perform in not over 2m high and fit comfortably on a 2.4m wide catwalk and fit through doors.
No costume that has previously been entered or shown in a competition can enter
The garment must be safe for model to wear & perform in.
Models must be able to see clearly & breathe easily.
Garment weight must be evenly distributed.
For safety reason garment is not to include the following – Stilts, roller skates or blades, any hard unprotected edges eg. Glass / Metal
Cannot have any loose elements such as fires out glitter or confetti
Winning garments may be held for up to a month following the event by Lake Taupō Hospice for the purpose of display.
Early Bird entries open 1st May – 30th June $15. Late entries close 16th August $25.
Funhouse Fantasy
Age Group - School Aged Years 9-13
Blurb - Venture through the kaleidoscopic corridors of our funhouse fashion, where surprises await at every turn. Embrace your role as the maestro of creativity, let your imagination run wild, and create a proclamation that mirrors the fanciful and enchanting vibe of the sideshow. The big top is all set – let the funhouse makeover unfold!
Objective - This category challenges creatives to conceptualize and construct wearable art that embodies the spirit of a fantastical circus, combining elements of illusion, exaggeration, and interactive artistry to craft pieces that not only astonish but also tell a captivating story. Through this exploration, participants are encouraged to push the limits of their imagination, experiment with unconventional materials and technologies, and ultimately create a costume that engages the audience in an immersive experience, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy, and inviting onlookers into the magical and surreal world of the circus funhouse.
Further info
Garment must be created by students, adult guidance only
Design team can consist of no more than 3 designers
You can wear the outfit yourself or bring along a model
The garment must be safe for model to wear & perform in not over 2m high and fit comfortably on a 2.4m wide catwalk and fit through doors.
No garment that has previously been entered or shown in a competition can enter
The garment must be safe for model to wear & perform in.
Models must be able to see clearly & breathe easily.
Garment weight must be evenly distributed.
For safety reason garment is not to include the following – Stilts, roller skates or blades, any hard unprotected edges eg. Glass / Metal
Cannot have any loose elements such as fires out glitter or confetti
Winning garments may be held for up to a month following the event by Lake Taupō Hospice for the purpose of display.
Early Bird entries open 1st May – 30th June $15. Late entries close 16th August $25.
Supermarket Circus Chic
Age Group - Open section for any age
Blurb - From chip packet jacket to a chocolate wrapper magician turban, this category allows you to showcase your creativity and crafting ability using humble supermarket packaging. It's an eco-friendly extravaganza that proves fashion can be found in the most unexpected places and turned into a amazing circus chic costume.
Objective - Participants are tasked with creating wearable art garments that not only showcase their creativity and resourcefulness but also embody the spirit of circus chic—playful, colorful, and eye-catching—through the unconventional use of product packaging. This challenge emphasizes sustainability and innovation, encouraging designers to think outside the box and repurpose everyday materials into extraordinary fashion statements. The ultimate goal is to transform the mundane into the magnificent, producing a piece that not only highlights the versatility and aesthetic potential of product packaging but also pays homage to the enchanting and eclectic world of the circus, all while fostering a deeper conversation about sustainability in fashion and art.
Further info
Product packaging will supplied by Lake Taupō Hospice through a sponsor affiliated company - Foodstuff’s Own Brand
Garment must be created with the packaging as the hero of the design, with logo and product name on display.
No other brand packaging may be used however other non branded materials are able to be utilised for the creation
Design team can consist of no more than 3 designers
You can wear the outfit yourself or bring along a model
The garment must be safe for model to wear & perform in not over 2m high and fit comfortably on a 2.4m wide catwalk and fit through doors.
No garment that has previously been entered or shown in a competition can enter
The garment must be safe for model to wear & perform in.
Models must be able to see clearly & breathe easily.
Garment weight must be evenly distributed.
For safety reason garment is not to include the following – Stilts, roller skates or blades, any hard unprotected edges eg. Glass / Metal
Cannot have any loose elements such as fires out glitter or confetti
Winning garments may be held for up to a month following the event by Lake Taupō Hospice for the purpose of display.
Early Bird entries open 1st May – 30th June $15. Late entries close 16th August $25.
Carnival Couture
Age Group - Open section for any age
Blurb - Step right up to the Carnival Couture challenge, where sustainability meets spectacular! Dive into the world of vibrant carnival vibes by creating show-stopping wearable art using only recycled materials or treasures found at your local Hospice Shop. Are you ready to turn thrift into theatrical and make sustainability the star of the show? Join the Carnival Couture and let your imagination parade in full color!
Objective - Participants are challenged to create vibrant, carnival-inspired wearable art garments using only recycled materials or items sourced from Hospice Shops. This category encouraging designers to transform second-hand and discarded materials into quirky, fun but eye-catching fashion that celebrates the spirited essence of carnival while highlighting the importance of sustainable practices in art and design.
Further info
Garment must be created with the majority of the garment being from recycled materials or upcycled items from the Hospice Shop as the hero of the design,
Design team can consist of no more than 3 designers
You can wear the outfit yourself or bring along a model
The garment must be safe for model to wear & perform in not over 2m high and fit comfortably on a 2.4m wide catwalk and fit through doors.
No garment that has previously been entered or shown in a competition can enter
The garment must be safe for model to wear & perform in.
Models must be able to see clearly & breathe easily.
Garment weight must be evenly distributed.
For safety reason garment is not to include the following – Stilts, roller skates or blades, any hard unprotected edges eg. Glass / Metal
Cannot have any loose elements such as fires out glitter or confetti
Winning garments may be held for up to a month following the event by Lake Taupō Hospice for the purpose of display.
Early Bird entries open 1st May – 30th June $15. Late entries close 16th August $25.
Big Thank You To Our Generous Sponsors
