Sculptures In The Garden Event – Mudgee

[Update] Sculptures in the Garden is one of regional Australia’s largest and most celebrated outdoor sculpture exhibitions. The 2022 SIG has kicked off this weekend with a packed schedule of art, music and culture.

Visitors can expect to see 260 sculptures by notable artists from around Australia. There will also be musical performances throughout the exhibition from award-winning folk-rock musician Matt Boylan-Smith, and a special performance by the Sydney Bach Society on the first weekend of Sculptures in the Garden. Starring a quartet of Australia’s rising classical music stars — violinists Benjamin Adler and Timothy Lee, guitarist Josinaldo Costa, and cellist James Larsen — the group will present a recital that melds favourites by J.S. Bach with stunning trio sonatas by Corelli and Handel. 

How did the plan for the inaugural Sculptures in the Garden event come about?

We have always been passionate about art and sculpture and wanted to celebrate local artists at a small community event at our home, so with a group of like-minded people, we put together the first event and people loved it. It seemed to be something that was really missing in the community.

How has the event grown over 10 years?

The word spread quite organically about the event with more and more artists hearing about the opportunity to exhibit their works every year and more and more people hearing about the event and wanting to come and see the works on display.

What’s in-store for the 10th Celebration celebration event?

This year’s event has been extended by 2 weeks and is now going from the 10th October to the 25th October. Each weekend will have food offerings and live music with the Rosby wine bar and artwork exhibition on every day.

Tell us a bit more about how kid-friendly the event is and what’s on for kids this year?

Kids are welcome to attend SIG free of charge and they will enjoy the beautiful gardens and sculptures and specifically the SIG for Kids! section with artworks created by children from the Mudgee region.

Where do all the artists travel from to exhibit their sculptures?

We have artists exhibit from all over Australia. The majority this year are from NSW and this is mainly due to COVID-19 and the limitations this has caused. We have artists from the Blue Mountains, Central West, Central Coast, South Coast, Southern highlands, Newcastle, Northern Beaches and more areas across NSW. Also, artists are exhibiting from Victoria and Queensland.

What is one of the most memorable moments of the event in the past?

We loved having Wendy Whiteley, Dame Marie Bashir, Lord Mayor Clover Moore and the late Edmund Capon all come and open the event in the past. Annabelle Hickson was also a delight to have involved.

What sort of impact do you think this event has made to the arts industry and visitors to Mudgee?

Because of Sculptures in the Garden, we have been able to bring the enjoyment of art to the community and create a legacy with the Lawson Park Sculpture Walk. Something we’re immensely proud of.

Will this continue into 2021?

Yes, we have exciting plans for 2021 and we will be able to share these next year so stay tuned!

Check out more on Sculptures in the garden here:

Insta: @sculpturesinthegarden

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/sculpturesinthegarden

Website: www.sculpturesinthegarden.com.au