Whitefield Art Collective celebrates ninth edition of its annual festival
In this photo essay, we feature WAC 2026 highlights from VR Bengaluru.
Launched in 2014, PhotoSparks is a weekly feature from YourStory, with photographs that celebrate the spirit of creativity and innovation. In the earlier 975 posts, we featured an art festival, cartoon gallery. world music festival, telecom expo, millets fair, climate change expo, wildlife conference, startup festival, Diwali rangoli, and jazz festival.
The Whitefield Art Collective (WAC) is celebrating the ninth edition of its visual and performing arts festival at VR Bengaluru. See our coverage of earlier editions from 2017 onwards here.
The festival kicked off in fine style with the unveiling of the aptly-named Kala Car, an artistically decorated car. This was followed by a live musical performance by Grammy Award-winner Ricky Kej and ensemble.
There was also a fashion showcase celebrating sustainable designs and practices. It was titled A Rose for Khadi, by designer-curator Rajini Rekha (see our photo essay on her Reves Art Gallery here).
As shown in this photo essay, the month-long public art festival features paintings, sculptures, installations, photography, and curated artist showcases. Specific sections host exhibitions by Gita Hudson (Cinema Reimagined) and Nele Martens (Elements).
Other highlights of WAC 2026 include Art Cinema, Whitefield Literary Society events, performance art (Second Skin), a resin art workshop, and the Young Artists Programme.
There is also an Art Bazaar, and interactive workshops such as Illustrate the Wild. Other sessions on cyanotype and clay modelling offer hands-on engagement for visitors.
The festival is supported by UNESCO as a special initiative. It brings together collaborations with several art and educational institutions, thus reinforcing WAC’s aim of connecting communities through art while creating a vibrant cultural platform in Bengaluru.
Unlike other festivals that are held in art galleries or museums, WAC is held in a mall. It thereby transforms the commercial space into a large, accessible cultural hub, with the aim of making art inclusive and engaging for the wider community.
WAC is designed as a platform for both emerging and established artists to showcase their work and connect with diverse audiences. It emphasises public art, community engagement, and creative expression, often exploring themes such as sustainability, urbanisation, identity, and the future.
The initiative is supported by organisations like the Yuj Foundation. The festival aligns with broader goals of fostering civic pride and cultural exchange through art.
The month-long festival repositions VR Bengaluru as a multi-zone art space, with hundreds of artworks and installations from across India and beyond. The exhibits are the result of collaborations with art institutions such as MSU Baroda, JJ School of Art, and Delhi College of Art.
Miniature and large-scale installations are often located next to each other, along with wall murals and experimental formats such as interactive audio-visual pieces. Over the years, WAC has included pop-ups where visitors can purchase art, design products, and merchandise. The location of the event thus helps blend art with lifestyle and retail experiences.
Each annual edition of WAC is curated around a central theme, highlighting contemporary issues. The theme this year is Tomorrow, Altered.
In sum, WAC shows how it is possible to bridge the gap between artists and everyday audiences. It encourages cross-disciplinary collaboration and cultural dialogue, and positions urban retail spaces as hubs for cultural and creative ecosystems.
Now what have you done today to pause in your busy schedule and harness your creative side for a better world?
Rajini Rekha and Ricky Kej
(All photographs taken by Madanmohan Rao on location at VR Bengaluru.)