Curtain closes on Wearable Art Mandurah competition

The curtain has closed on the Wearable Art Mandurah competition.

A vote at Tuesday night's council meeting saw the decade long program canned due to rising costs to deliver the event, a decrease in local participation and a minimal economic impact.

Deputy Mayor Caroline Knight said Wearable Art Mandurah would be farewelled following an exhibition of selected 2022 garments at Contemporary Art Spaces Mandurah in February 2023. 

“After careful consideration and thought, it is with a heavy heart that Council has made the difficult decision not to continue the event,” Councillor Knight said. 

“Wearable Art has engaged an enthusiastic following among artists, designers and creatives, however with a declining number of local people entering and reduced audience numbers, we had to take a realistic view of this event into the future.” 

The annual budget to deliver the program is over $300,000 and in recent years the event has experienced escalating costs which, were expected to continue rising.

Council’s decision included that this budget would be reinvested into new arts priorities and initiatives aligned with the new Arts and Culture Strategy, due for Council consideration early next year. 

“We would like to sincerely thank and recognise the artists, designers, community, staff and everyone involved in Wearable Art Mandurah for their outstanding efforts and contributions over the years, particularly those who played such a big part in the early years in establishing this event,” Cr Knight said.