Wildflowering Events

EOI’s Open for Sunshine Coast Wildflowering Design Lab 2026

Following on from the hugely successful ‘Wildflowering Design Lab’ held in the lead up to the 2025  ‘Wildflowering by Design’ exhibition, artists and designers are invited to participate in the Sunshine Coast Wildflowering Design Lab scheduled for the Thurs 2 – Sat 4 July 2026. This is a unique creative opportunity for local artists/designers  who are inspired by our natural heritage and want to explore the spectrum of practice across art and design, in particular through surface pattern design. Across a three day ‘lab’ program, participants will use the facilities of the UniSC maker space, engage in a series of immersive wildflower walks, learn from industry professionals, with time to experiment and collaborate.

In the months after the Design Lab, participants will have time to create work that may be showcased in ‘Design Wilds’ exhibitions planned for the second half of the year.

A number of places will be reserved for First Nations artists/designers.

The program will be led by experienced surface pattern designer Marni Stuart with wildflower walks by Dr Sue Davis and support by other members of The Wildflowering Collective Inc.

Some relevant details:
The focus of the lab will mainly be in surface pattern design, with participants creating at least one surface pattern tile that can be used for multiple design applications (such as fabric, tea-towels, cards, wrapping paper etc also can be adapted for projection art).

Participants will mainly be working with the Fresco program on iPads, with some available at the Maker Space though participants are encouraged to bring their own if possible (along with an Apple pen or drawing stylus).

We will be going on walks within a number of reserves and national parks within 30 mins driving distance from the university. Participants will need to be able to travel to these locations or car pool. We will be walking up to 1 km at each location.

Key dates:

EOI’s close: 12 June 2026 (we aim to have notification re attendance back on 16 June)

Design Lab at UniSC: 2-4 July 2026 (day time attendance)

Opportunities to share work may include exhibitions at Galley Lane Coolum and the Arts & Ecology Centre, Maroochy Bushland Botanic Gardens in August and November.

Cost:
$50 Sunshine Coast residents
$100 non-Sunshine Coast residents

This project is subsidised by funding from Sunshine Coast Council.

This project is proudly supported by Sunshine Coast Council’s grants program. The Design Lab is also supported by UniSC and The Wildflowering Collective Inc.