Featured Activities
A celebration of design, creativity and excellence in Wānaka.
This year, TOI Wānaka is kicking off with a bang at a rooftop soiree at the new Precinct building. Wee Tart is a modern, beautiful cafe at the Precinct with rooftop terrace views that are to-die-for. From 4:30-6:30pm on Friday, October 15, the Welcome to TOI event will be held, with drinks, nibbles and maybe even a few surprises from the Precinct business community.
This event is free, but in order to track attendance, attendees must register for tickets.
Designers, creatives and local talent from all over the South Island are excited to share their passions and creative vision with TOI attendees. On Saturday, October 16, head down Helwick St and catch live art from community groups like the artists of Wānaka Arts or the musicians from Guerilla Gigs. The shops and cafes on the street also welcome TOI attendees to browse their wares or grab a bite.
TOI is as much about looking and learning as it is about getting involved and learning through doing. Many local artists and studios will be opening their doors to TOI attendees to try their hand at a craft and learn from the pros. For more details about which studios will be opening and available workshops, check out the TOI schedule.
It wouldn’t be a complete weekend without a reason to dress up and socialize. On the Saturday evening at 4:30pm, TOI Wānaka presents Design Debunked, a speaker series and panel event. Happening at Scroggin Cafe on Ardmore Street, Design Debunked will bring together five creatives – each with a unique perspective on their respective industries – for a ‘Ted-talk’ style speaker series about their individual creative process. Following the series, the speakers will come together for a panel discussion with the audience.
In conjunction with the festivities, the TOI Wanaka brand identity, in and of itself, is a work of beautiful and intentional design. The word ‘toi’ is often translated as knowledge, skill, excellence, source, origin or mastery. Engaging with local Maori graphic designer, Britt Davies from Studio Acht, the brand reflects the history of Wanaka, its bold strength in unity moving forward.
