Expect the unexpected in Hamilton’s central city

Photo caption: Hamilton City’s Deputy Mayor Geoff Taylor, Hamilton Central Business Association General Manager Vanessa Williams and City of Wonder director, curator and HANRAD Gallery co-founder Chao Han get a taste of the City of Wonder in Garden Place ahead of the 10-day art and design festival. 

Hamilton’s central city is about to look a little different, with art in shop windows and public spaces, interactive installations and the Central Library façade transformed after dark.

It’s all part of the first City of Wonder (COW), a 10-day celebration of art and design running from 25 September – 4 October. 

The programme will take art and design beyond traditional gallery spaces and into streets, businesses and public spaces across the central city. 

Highlights include COW After Dark, with light transforming the Central Library façade and interactive experiences across Garden Place and Civic Square, alongside exhibitions, shopfront activations, talks, workshops and guided walks.  

The programme also includes a special exhibition from the China National Academy of Painting, bringing work from internationally recognised Chinese artists to Hamilton as part of the inaugural event. The full programme is free.  

Hamilton City Council is supporting the City of Wonder with $15,000 in sponsorship, recognising the role events can play in bringing activity and vibrancy into the central city. 

Hamilton’s Deputy Mayor Geoff Taylor said the event complements the investment and development already happening across the central city. 

“There’s real momentum building in our central city, with new hotels, offices, hospitality and other developments underway. Events like this add another dimension by bringing people and activity into our streets. 

“They also have an economic benefit with attracting visitors, supporting local businesses and helping create a central city where people want to spend time.” 

With activities spread across multiple locations, the event will encourage people to move through the central city and discover businesses and spaces along the way. 

Hamilton Central Business Association General Manager Vanessa Williams said involving local businesses in the programme adds to the experience.  

“It’s great to see local businesses getting involved and doing something a little different for their customers. It gives people the chance to discover businesses and places they might not normally visit, while seeing another side of our city.” 

For City of Wonder director, curator and HANRAD Gallery co-founder Chao Han, that sense of discovery is exactly what the event is about. 

“We want people to find something unexpected as they move through the city whether that’s an artwork in a shop window, an installation in a public space or something that makes them stop and look twice. 

“You don’t need to know anything about art or design to take part. Just come along and see what you can find.” 

For the full programme, visit the City of Wonder website at cowartdesign.co.nz