Geelong is preparing to celebrate its title as Australia’s only designated UNESCO Creative City of Design when it hosts Geelong Design Week from Thursday 17 March – Sunday 27 March 2022.
Geelong is preparing to celebrate its title as Australia’s only designated UNESCO Creative City of Design when it hosts Geelong Design Week from Thursday 17 March – Sunday 27 March 2022.
The theme for this year’s event is taur which translates as ‘belonging’ in the language of the Wadawurrung people Traditional Owners of Djilang (Geelong).
Proud Wadawurrung artist Deanne Gilson has created an artwork – Yalik Beek Murrup (Water Country Spirit) that will be the signature design for the event collateral and signage. Featuring the traditional mark of the wave pattern used by Deanne’s ancestors the artwork’s synergy with the city by the sea is reflected.
Musician and actress Claire Bowditch will launch the 10-day program with an opening event at the Palais Theatre a classic art deco building that has been refurbished after lying dormant since 2016.
Big Dreams creative resilience and the stories we tell ourselves: an evening with Clare Bowditch on Thursday 17 March is open to the public with limited tickets available for only $35 (plus booking fee). Guests will enjoy refreshments on arrival entertainment and an insightful interactive presentation.
More than 6000 people attended the inaugural event in 2021 with 69 events held across the region including Rone’s major exhibition at Geelong Gallery.
The program is grouped under eight themes including: Art Craft Fashion; Culture and Heritage; Equity Inclusiveness and Encounter in the Built Environment; Learning Knowledge and Research; Social and Community Services; Sustainability; Technology Innovation and Manufacturing and Visual Communications and Multimedia.
Sacred Heart College students have been working on three temporary pavilions that will be displayed during Geelong Design Week. The installation is called Sensory and it merges nature technology and design.
Head to www.geelongdesignweek.com.au for more information on the full event program.
Deputy Mayor Trent Sullivan
Geelong is a city that continues to reinvent itself through the use of creative design.
Design is fundamental to the way we live. The revitalisation of our CBD with new cultural institutions and a rich design culture shows that Geelong continues to change and grow.
We look forward to welcoming visitors from our region and beyond as we proudly present this inspirational educational and dynamic event program.
Cr Peter Murrihy
The program includes more than 60 events that have been selected by a curatorial panel of the city’s leading design advocates. Local designers artists innovators and cultural institutions responded to the call-out for event applications and we’ve got a really exciting program on offer.