A Wearable Arts Spectacular

A vibrant Gala Night and Student Showcase at the Star Court Theatre on Thursday 18 June, 2026

Featuring illuminated, one‑of‑a‑kind wearable artworks in a runway‑style performance and Dr Fred Cole on the baby grand.

Selected pieces will also shine in the

Lismore Lantern Parade on 20 June and the Lismore Regional Gallery

This is not just a fashion show — it’s a celebration of imagination, sustainability and community.

Come along, be inspired, and see creativity shine.

BOOK NOW

Thursday
18 June 2026

Gala Night

Session One: 5:00PM - 6:30PM

Student Awards

Session Two: 7:45PM - 10:00PM

Gala Awards

Cocktails and canapes

on arrival in the Arcade

Show begins 8.30pm

Get Involved

Heart Light 26 is a bold new wearable arts event coming to Lismore in June 2026.
Creativity, recycled materials and light come together on stage.

Who Can Take Part

School Section – Upper Primary, High School and Home‑Schooled students (Northern Rivers). Invitation only.
Open Section – Artists, designers, emerging creatives and the general public across Australia.
A panel of expert judges will award prizes in each category.

The Creative Challenge

Design and wear (or provide a model) an original artwork that includes:

Upcycled or recycled materials (found objects, industrial waste, op‑shop treasures)
Integrated lights or external illumination.

Competition Themes

Designs will be inspired by one of four themes:

Jurassic World
Myths & Legends
Trash & Treasure
The Elements

Presented by LightnUp Inc, the team behind the much‑loved Lismore Lantern Parade, Heart Light invites artists, students and everyday creatives to turn trash into treasure and literally wear their art.

Category	Description	Weighting
Originality & Innovation	The judges are looking for the WOW factor, an entry that will make an impression. An original garment designed with a unique interpretation of the theme.	25
Construction	The garment must be comfortable and safe for the model to wear. Models must be able to see clearly and breathe easily while wearing it. No sharp objects or scratchy surfaces eg staples. (See rules) Garments must be of a suitable size to fit through doorways backstage (see Rules). Mechanisms for extensions and retractions (if any) be robust, practical and fully tested by the model. Remember spare batteries for your lights.	15
Artist Statement	The Artist’s Statement (150 words max) needs to include: How your garment relates to the theme. How your choice of materials for your garment makes it sustainable or low impact on the environment. Any topic research you undertook or new skills you developed in the design/construction process. Your Artist’s Statement must be included with your online Garment Registration Form which must be submitted by Monday 2 June 2026.	15
Materials	Consideration of the source & full life cycle of the garment and its impact on the environment, including what will happen to it after the Lantern Parade. Winning garments will be those that demonstrate the best use of a significant level of sustainable/recycled / up-cycled or reused materials. Illumination is an important part of the design criteria. The innovative use of light (either integrated or external) will be considered.	20
Interpretation	Demonstrate a strong interpretation of and engagement with your chosen theme.	25

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Workshops

Lismore Lantern Parade Community presents workshops to create Headdresses and Masks, inspired by the Heart Light themes will be held at three locations:

1. Lismore Square

2. Flourish. North Lismore

3. 10 County Lane, Lismore CBD

(Workshop dates to be announced.)

Help and creative inspiration for Wearable Arts Gala entrants or just for fun.

1. Lismore Regional Art Gallery, Heart Light Wearable Art Workshop,

Saturday 2 May 2026, 10am - 2.00pm $15.00

Booking: lismore-events.bookable.net.au

Participants in ALL the workshops will be invited to join the Lantern Parade in a special section to show off their artworks on Saturday 20 June at the Lismore Lantern Parade.

FAQs

When is the Heart Light Wearable Art Gala Presentation?

Thursday 18 June 2026, 7.30pm – 10.30pm
Winners will be announced at the end of the Catwalk Presentation.

Where will the event be held?

At the Star Court Theatre, Star Court, Molesworth Street, Lismore, NSW

Are there rehearsals?

Rehearsals for all entrants be held during the morning/afternoon of Thursday 18 June.
Details will be sent to all Registered Entrants.

Is there an entry fee?

No. There is no entry fee to enter the LightnUp Heart Light Wearable Arts Competition.

Is there an age restriction?

Entrants to the Heart Light Open Section must be either 18 years or employed, a volunteer, enrolled in TAFE, Home School or Community College (entrants under 18 years should be accompanied by an adult for the Gala Night).

Can I submit more than one entry in the Competition?

Yes. You may submit multiple entries in the competition.
Each individual entry must be submitted on a separate entry form in the same name
Registered entries will then be identified by a unique number.
There is no limit to the number of entries that you can submit.

Can a single entry be included in more than one Theme?

No. Each individual entry will be restricted to one theme only.
Entrants must specify their chosen theme on the entry form.

Can I use the same model for different entries?

No, each garment must have its own model provided by the entrant.

Can we enter as a Team?

Entries can be made by individuals under their own names OR as named teams with a delegated representative/contact.

What are the Themes?

Designers must choose from the following four themes*

Jurassic World.
Myths and Legends.
Trash and Treasure.
The Elements.

Should my entry comply with competition rules and design guidelines?(see below)

Yes. Compliance with competition rules (see below) is mandatory.

Following design guidelines is not mandatory, but will be viewed favourably by the judging panel according to their published criteria.

Are there prizes?

Yes. Open Section - $500 with $300 and $200 for runners up and a Trophy.

We are mindful that throughout the event the incorporation of First Nation’s Culture is at all times respectful and appropriate.

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Open Section - Competition Rules

Entry requirements

Entrants to the Open Section must be 18 years OR employed, a registered volunteer, an enrolled TAFE, Community College or Home School student (entrants under 18 years should be accompanied by an adult for the Gala Night).
Entries can be made by individuals under their own name OR as named Teams with a delegated representative/contact.
Designers must choose from one of the following four themes:
- Jurassic World
- Myths and Legends
- Trash and Treasure
- The Elements
Entries must include

- significant amount of recycled/up-cycled material, emphasising sustainability and

creativity,

- be illuminated by integrated lights and/or external lighting effects

No obvious or dominant trademarks, logos or brand names can be used in an entry.
All entrants should complete the Photo and Video Consent Form. (Under 18yrs need a parent or guardian signature).

Entry and Judging process

Open Section Participants should firstly submit the online Open Section Registration Form by Monday 18th May at the latest. So that we know how many entries there will be, your entry does not need to be complete at this stage.
Garment Registrations should then be submitted via the online form by Tuesday 2nd June (unless by arrangement). A link will be sent to you when you register online.
At the time of Garment Registration, entrants are required to submit Design Sketches or Photographs depicting the final garment. Design Sketches/Photos must include details of materials to be used, proposed dimensions and lighting systems.
Each garment must have its own model provided by the entrant. (Unless by arrangement)
Each Garment Registration should be accompanied by an Artist’s Statement (no more than 150 words) indicating how your garment relates to the theme and how your choice of materials for your garment makes it sustainable or low impact on the environment.
The Design Sketches/Photos and Artist’s Statements will be assessed in the judging process.
Technical and Dress rehearsals will take place on Thursday 18th June at the Star Court Theatre.
Judging of the Open Section will take place during dress rehearsals.Times and details to be advised.

Garment safety

The garment must be safe and comfortable for a model to move and perform in over several wearings, including strong comfortable footwear.
Models must be able to see clearly and breathe easily while wearing the garment.
Garment weight must be evenly distributed over the body.

LightnUp will not accept the following components for safety reasons: stilts, roller skates or roller blades, any hard materials with raw unprotected edges such as glass, ceramics, plastic, metal. Please AVOID glitter (plastic) and staples. Natural glitter is available.
Entries are not permitted to use real animal fur.

Garments height & width restrictions

When worn by an adult model, the garment must be easily able to enter and exit the stage via a 1.5m wide x 2m high doorway (you can duck)
Models in costume will be required to walk up several short flights of stairs to the rear of the auditorium and then onto the stage.
Once onstage, the garment may extend or expand in size but must be able to retract and exit the stage in line with the entry and exit size restrictions specified above.

Garment delivery, storage, ownership & responsibility

Garments will be stored before and after rehearsal, and prior to the event in a secure place in the Star Court arcade or nearby.
Entrants from outside the region should contact LightnUp to arrange delivery prior to the event.

Please note delivery is at entrants’ own cost

The designer retains ownership of any garment submitted to LightnUp/Heart Light Competition.
LightnUp will not be liable for any damage or loss caused as a result of events outside its reasonable control.

Original creation

It is a requirement that a designer’s garment is an original creation and must comply with Copyright and Trademark Guidelines (does not infringe, or pose a risk of infringing, the intellectual property rights of any third party). No 'minions' please!

Judging Process

Judging of the Open category will be undertaken by a panel of independent judges at the dress rehearsal on Thursday18th June 2026
Winners will be announced at the end of the Gala Catwalk Parade that night.

We would like to extend our thanks and appreciation to Eye on Nature Wearable Arts, New Zealand for their generous advice and support, and Shearwater Steiner School, Mullumbimby, NSW, and New Zealand's WOW - World of Wearable Art for their awesome inspiration.

A Wearable Arts Spectacular​