Professor The Honourable Dame Marie Bashir AD CVO, former and second longest serving Governor of NSW will officially open the fifth annual Sculptures in the Garden at Mudgee vineyard, ‘Rosby’, on October 10.
A highlight on the regional cultural calendar, Sculptures in the Garden is a two-day event over the October 10-11 weekend, which features nationally recognised artists as well as a selection of regional artists.
Event curator Kay Norton-Knight says she is thrilled to have Professor Bashir to Rosby to officially open the event, and to award the acquisition prizes totalling $17,000.
“This is a great excuse for people to come to Mudgee for a day or the weekend, admire more than 200 incredible original works, displayed in a beautiful private garden,” Kay said.
“We are anticipating more than 3,000 visitors to the exhibition over the weekend, offering huge exposure to the participating artists while also showcasing the best hospitality our local tourism industry has to offer.”
“Rosby is a beautiful setting for such a stand-out exhibition and also lets us offer so much more than the sculptures,” Kay continued. “There will be a gourmet BBQ lunch, the best coffee in town, pop-up shops from the local garden centre, fresh flower stalls, chainsaw art workshops, garden walks, curated art tours and a exciting addition of puppies in training from the Guide Dogs Puppy Raising Centre.”
Mid-Western Regional Council Mayor Des Kennedy said the event was one of the many attractions the 524,000 visitors who come to the region each year enjoy.
“Sculptures in the Garden is an important community event that attracts visitors to our region and promotes cultural development,” Cr Kennedy said.
The Mudgee Support Group of Guide Dogs NSW/ACT will also be assisting throughout the two-day event, running the gate and providing catering for the exhibition.
Professor Bashir will officially open the event at 11am on Saturday 10 October.