the gatekeeper
To submit your entry form, click on the Enter Now link above, download the form, complete your details and email the form to information@shearwater.nsw.edu.au. No forms will be accepted without payment. Details of how to pay your entry fee can be found on the form.
Section 1—Endangered (UV section)
Songlines, gateways and portals are endangered as knowledge-holders disappear. The wisdom of days past, creatures, flora and talismanic treasures are at risk of being lost forever. Reach into the liminal space of mythical creatures, characters and civilisations and reimagine them in the realm of the ultraviolet. With the use of fluorescent paints, neon and white fabrics or hot glue for a spectacular glow, reveal that which is endangered, lost, or hidden in plain sight.
Section 2—The Magical Municipal Library (Paper section)
Within the mundane exterior of your municipal library, among the dust of ancient parchment and manuscript, await dream doorways —portals to your wildest imaginings. Bring to life a character using the novel as both muse and material. Designers need to reference a book, character or literary theme and create a garment that is constructed from at least 70 per cent paper (think cardboard, recycled packaging, books, comics and newspapers).
Section 3—The Outsider
The immortality of Gothic culture moves out of the shadows and onto the catwalk. The world of Goth protects a hidden inner light with a cloak of darkness. This section celebrates Gothic and sub-Gothic culture —the beautiful, dark and different. Capture the mood of the outsider navigating the dark night of the soul.
Section 4—Kashmir: A Celebration of Colour and Life
Design a garment that can be worn to a celebratory event such as a festival, street parade or wedding. From Bollywood to Holi, the Hindu festival of colours, invoke your Guardian deities. Your design should take inspiration from the traditional fashion and vivid colour palettes of India, adorned with decorative gold and silver, filled with liveliness, movement and flow, in a celebration of eternal life and ritual.
Section 5—The Gatekeeper
The journey comes full circle and we find ourselves on the threshold, face-to-face with the Gatekeeper. Watching, waiting. Can we pass? Create a garment that challenges the conventional—garb for a gatekeeper and what is being guarded. Animals, bureaucrats, security guards or ethereal beings, all are guardians of the secret beyond. You see the gate, the door, the pathway, now draw on your wildest dreams to create the Keeper.
Section 1—Endangered (UV section)
Songlines, gateways and portals are endangered as knowledge-holders disappear. The wisdom of days past, creatures, flora and talismanic treasures are at risk of being lost forever. Reach into the liminal space of mythical creatures, characters and civilisations and reimagine them in the realm of the ultraviolet. With the use of fluorescent paints, neon and white fabrics or hot glue for a spectacular glow, reveal that which is endangered, lost, or hidden in plain sight.
Section 2—The Magical Municipal Library (Paper section)
Within the mundane exterior of your municipal library, among the dust of ancient parchment and manuscript, await dream doorways —portals to your wildest imaginings. Bring to life a character using the novel as both muse and material. Designers need to reference a book, character or literary theme and create a garment that is constructed from at least 70 per cent paper (think cardboard, recycled packaging, books, comics and newspapers).
Section 3—The Outsider
The immortality of Gothic culture moves out of the shadows and onto the catwalk. The world of Goth protects a hidden inner light with a cloak of darkness. This section celebrates Gothic and sub-Gothic culture —the beautiful, dark and different. Capture the mood of the outsider navigating the dark night of the soul.
Section 4—Kashmir: A Celebration of Colour and Life
Design a garment that can be worn to a celebratory event such as a festival, street parade or wedding. From Bollywood to Holi, the Hindu festival of colours, invoke your Guardian deities. Your design should take inspiration from the traditional fashion and vivid colour palettes of India, adorned with decorative gold and silver, filled with liveliness, movement and flow, in a celebration of eternal life and ritual.
Section 5—The Gatekeeper
The journey comes full circle and we find ourselves on the threshold, face-to-face with the Gatekeeper. Watching, waiting. Can we pass? Create a garment that challenges the conventional—garb for a gatekeeper and what is being guarded. Animals, bureaucrats, security guards or ethereal beings, all are guardians of the secret beyond. You see the gate, the door, the pathway, now draw on your wildest dreams to create the Keeper.
PRIZE CATEGORIES
Overall Grand Winner
Director's Award
Section Winners (Sections 1,2,4 & 5)
Single Garment Section Winner (Section 3)
Emerging Artist Award
Creative Use of Materials
Youth Award (18 years and under)
Youth Award (12 years and under)
Director's Award
Section Winners (Sections 1,2,4 & 5)
Single Garment Section Winner (Section 3)
Emerging Artist Award
Creative Use of Materials
Youth Award (18 years and under)
Youth Award (12 years and under)
IMPORTANT DATES
The closing date for entry forms is Wednesday 20 September 2023. Entry forms must be received by Shearwater, the Mullumbimby Steiner School before 4pm on this date. Entry forms lodged after this date will incur a $10 late fee.
The final date for late entry is Wednesday 11 October 2023. No entry forms will be accepted after 4pm on this date.
The closing date for costume delivery is Monday 23 October 2023. Costumes delivered by hand must be received by the School between 10am and 5pm on this date. Delivery outside of this time must be pre-arranged by phone and will be by appointment only. Costumes delivered after this date may be accepted, subject to the Director’s discretion, but will not qualify for judging - therefore, will not be eligible for a prize.
Costume judging will take place in the Shearwater Hall on Thursday 26 October 2023.
Costume collection will take place between 1pm and 4pm on Thursday 16 November 2023. Collection outside of this time must be pre-arranged by phone and will be by appointment only. Costumes not collected by this date may be disposed of.
Performances are planned to take place in the Shearwater Hall on Wednesday 1 November to Saturday 4 November 2023.