In a world where environmental news often leaves us feeling hopeless, a refreshing new arts project is turning the narrative on its head. The Wanda Foundation, in collaboration with Southland Charitable Trust Arts Murihiku, is inviting artists, schools and organisations across Otago and Southland to participate in “Our World Inside a Suitcase”, a creative project that celebrates what we’re doing right for our planet.
“So often we default to a slightly hopeless mindset around our existence and feel bogged down by the over-bandied slogan ‘there is no Planet B!'” says Anna van Riel, founder of The Wanda Foundation. “This can leave us feeling disarmed in our plight to preserve the spectacular planet we are so fortunate to reside on.”
Instead, “Our World Inside a Suitcase” invites participants to construct their positive viewpoint of the natural world inside a vintage suitcase, using only repurposed, pre-loved or homemade materials. An approach that aims to inspire action right in our own backyards.
“The Wanda Foundation exists to inspire positive environmental change through the arts,” shares van Riel. “By leaning into a feel-good, know-how, can-do approach to the environment, we are far more likely to catalyse the kind of positive change we’d like to see for Papatūānuku.”
The Foundation is calling on people to donate vintage suitcases to support the project. Suitcases can be delivered directly to Whare Taupua on Fourth Street in Invercargill, or email [email protected] to arrange collection.
Artist registrations open in early December for artists across Otago and Southland. The exhibition will launch in Invercargill in June 2026 before touring to locations across Otago, giving communities throughout the lower South Island the opportunity to experience these creations.
“Every one of us has a unique opportunity to inspire positive change simply by being the change we’d like to see in the world, and then doing it in our own backyard” van Riel adds. “That’s what this project is all about.”