Lawson Park in Mudgee is a beautiful, tranquil and peaceful setting that plays host to a magnificent sculpture walk showcasing artwork from the Sculptures in the Garden exhibition.
The sculpture walk came to be after Sculptures in the Garden (SIG) founder, Kay Norton-Knight, along with the exhibition committee, proposed the idea to the Mid-Western Regional Council (MWRC) who deemed it a worthy and important asset for the local community.
In 2013, Sculptures in the Garden and MWRC funded a $15,000 acquisition prize to purchase an artwork from the exhibition. The following year, Moolarben Coal came on board and donated $5,000 for another acquisition prize and has continued donating this prize for the past four years.
In 2015, the SIG committee initiated “Friends of Sculptures in the Garden” with the goal of raising funds to offer another acquisition prize for contributing artists. In 2016 ‘Friends of SIG’ raised enough money for a $5,000 acquisition prize and in 2017 enough money for a $10,000 prize.
Each of these prizes enable a growing collection of works to be acquired for the sculpture walk, which is visited and enjoyed year-round by both locals and visitors to the region.
The creation of the sculpture walk, in conjunction with MWRC, is one of the main reasons why the SIG exhibition continues to take place.
“We want as many people as possible to enjoy the amazing artworks created for SIG, and the permanent art display that is the sculpture walk, provides this opportunity to all members of the public.”
'Town' By Paul Bacon SIG2017
“The importance of the sculpture walk to the community is the reason we created ‘Friends of Sculptures in the Garden’. We wanted to provide another reason for all sculptors to consider exhibiting at Sculptures in the Garden. Our objective is to continue enhancing the quality of works displayed at Sculptures in the Garden. Prize money is a big draw card for artists but for their works to be acquired by the Council and displayed in the public realm, is also very attractive and a more permanent celebration of their work,” Kay concluded.
The sculptural works are created using a variety of materials and techniques and are selected by a committee of people from backgrounds including council, engineers, architects and art curators, whom abide by strict guidelines when selecting the winning pieces.
In addition to the sculptural artworks that run along the river in Lawson Park West, there are additional works for the public to enjoy that are currently located in council chambers and the local Mudgee library. MWRC will continue to add to its public art collection not only for works to be installed in Lawson Park but elsewhere throughout the region.
“The collection reflects our natural and cultural heritage, engages with our community and adds value to our infrastructure, attractions and public amenity. Council is committed to developing this public art program and encourages the participation in and appreciation of art by our community,”
The collection’s creators are both local and visiting artists including, David Sherlock, Ingrid Morley and Wynne Prize finalist, Ulan Murray for his copper tree sculpture which currently resides in council chambers.
Since conception in 2013, SIG has enabled MWRC to acquire 21 sculptures for their public art collection.
- SIG and MWRC have purchased 11 sculptures
- Moolarben Coal have donated prize money for 6 sculptures
- ‘Friends of SIG’ have donated prize money for 4 sculptures