BUDDING fashion designers from across the region are invited to start getting creative for this year's Whitsunday Reef Festival Wearable Art Awards, on Saturday, August 2.

Wearable art has been a firm fixture on the Reef Festival and Whitsunday art calendars for many years, with local wearable artists achieving recognition through winning awards both regionally, nationally and even internationally.

Event organiser Pam Pole, said with the generous past support of the Rotary Club of Airlie Beach and the enthusiasm of Annie Lloyd-Lewis and Sian Pole, wearable art had become an integral and interesting part of the annual Whitsunday Reef Festival.

"The idea of creating art that walks is colourful and innovative as well as being a popular means of artistic expression for all ages and genders," she said.

The 2014 Reef Festival Wearable Art Awards have been sponsored by Wilmar and the theme is "sweet as sugar".

The competition is open to creative people of all ages. Anyone with imagination and a sense of humour is invited to enter.

There are age categories for students from Grade 3 upwards and an adult category, all with great cash prizes.

Judging and studio quality photos will take place in the late morning of August 2.

The wearable art fashion parade will then be staged on the Airlie foreshore in the early afternoon when the winners will be announced.

Entrants are also invited to display their amazing artworks to an even wider audience by joining in the Rotary Reef Festival Street Parade.

Entries close on Monday, July 28 and entry forms will be available at http://www.whitsundayreeffestival.com or through Pam Pole on 49461271 / 0448 870 482 or pampole@hotmail.com.

WEARABLE ART AWARDS

What: Whitsunday Reef Festival event

When: Saturday, August 2

Where: Airlie foreshore

To enter: 49461271 / 0448 870 482 or email pampole@hotmail.com