How seeking wonder reminded me why stories matter
Some projects arrive at exactly the right time, even if you don’t realise it at the start. Wonder Seekers has been one of those for me – a project that gently pulled me back to the reason I create in the first place: people, stories and connection.
Funded through a Wagga Wagga City Council grant, Wonder Seekers brought four regional artists together across different disciplines to explore the idea of wonder in everyday life. From the outset, what struck me was the sense of community between the artists involved. There was no sense of creative competition – only encouragement, curiosity and genuine interest in each other’s work. That collegiality feels very regional to me. Wagga – and regional towns more broadly – have this quiet but powerful way of backing creative endeavours, because they understand creativity isn’t just about the art. It’s also about connection and community wellbeing.
My role in the project centred on interviewing people about their experiences of kindness and then writing poems inspired by those conversations. Simple, but also deeply profound. Sitting with people and asking them to reflect on moments of kindness they have given, received or observed, created this incredible opening. Time and again, I was reminded that when you hold space for someone to share their story, they step into that space with extraordinary generosity. People don’t just answer questions; they reveal memories, emotions and perspectives they may not have spoken about before.
In this project and in our work at Frank & Earnest, I’ve been constantly amazed by how willing people are to share when they feel truly heard. There is a quiet bravery in storytelling, and this project has been a beautiful reminder that kindness is often found in the smallest, most unassuming moments. Those moments are easy to overlook, but when they’re shared, they have the power to ripple far beyond the original act.
The Wonder Seekers Celebration + Showcase brings together the work created throughout the project and offers the community a chance to experience wonder through different artistic lenses. It’s a chance to wander, reflect, connect and celebrate the creativity that exists right here in our community.
If you’re curious about the project, the artists or simply want to experience a few stories of kindness told through poetry, I would love you to join us at the showcase. Come along, bring a friend, and give yourself permission to slow down and notice the wonder that lives in ordinary moments.
You can find event details here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/wonder-seekers-celebration-showcase-tickets-1980758406715
Peita