St Andrew's Anglican College partners with AWAF to launch first national Wearable Art Student Showcase

In a landmark partnership that will create new opportunities for young creatives across the country, St Andrew's Anglican College has been announced as the education partner of Australia's first national Australian Wearable Art Festival (AWAF) Student Showcase.

The partnership will see St Andrew's work alongside the Australian Wearable Art Festival to develop and launch a dedicated student showcase in 2027, providing secondary students from Years 9 to 12 across Australia with the opportunity to design, create and exhibit original wearable artworks within a nationally recognised festival environment.

The initiative represents a significant milestone for arts education and positions St Andrew's at the forefront of innovative creative learning experiences on the Sunshine Coast and beyond.

The Showcase has been designed as a genuine pathway into the creative industries. Students will have the opportunity to engage with professional artists, designers and industry mentors while showcasing their work as part of one of Australia's most unique creative festivals.

Australian Wearable Art Festival Co-Director Helen Perry said the partnership reflected a shared commitment to nurturing the next generation of creative thinkers.

"Wearable art sits at the intersection of fashion, sculpture, sustainability, performance and design. It is one of the most accessible and exciting ways for young people to engage with creativity because there are very few rules," Ms Perry said.

For St Andrew's, the partnership reflects a broader commitment to providing authentic learning experiences that extend beyond the classroom and help students discover their passions, build personal capacity and prepare for future pathways.

College Principal Karen Gorrie said the initiative aligned strongly with the College's vision of developing confident, capable and creative young people.

"At St Andrew's, we are committed to providing opportunities that challenge students to think differently, collaborate creatively and apply their learning in meaningful contexts. Partnerships like this allow students to connect with industry professionals, explore emerging creative fields and develop the skills that will support them well beyond school," Ms GOrrie said.

The announcement comes at an exciting time for the College's arts community, with the new Performing Arts Centre scheduled to open later this year.

Representing one of the most significant investments in arts infrastructure in the College's history, the Centre will provide world-class facilities for performance, creativity and collaboration, further strengthening opportunities for students across music and the creative arts.

Together, the new Performing Arts Centre and the AWAF partnership demonstrate St Andrew's long-term commitment to fostering creativity, innovation and artistic excellence.

For St Andrew's students, the partnership is already delivering real-world experiences.

Earlier this year, students collaborated with acclaimed wearable artist Kym Cunningham to create a series of sculptural headpieces that will feature in AWAF 2026's interactive audience activations at the Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort, giving students the opportunity to see their work presented as part of a nationally recognised event.

The inaugural Australian Wearable Art Festival Student Showcase will launch in 2027, opening the door for secondary students from across Australia to participate in a creative experience unlike any other.

Key dates

11 July 2026 — AWAF 2026, Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort
australianwearableart.com.au

Late 2026 — St Andrew's Performing Arts Hub opens

Post-AWAF 2026 — 2027 Student Showcase details released

2027 — Inaugural AWAF Student Showcase