To reignite the event, Sculpture on Clyde will host outdoor sculptures at world class venue Willinga Park, the indoor sculptures will be hosted at the Clyde St. heritage venue used last year. The winners of the Schools Mathematical Sculpture competition will be concurrently displayed in shop fronts in the form of a Sculpture Walk through Batemans Bay CBD.
Following supportive discussions with Eurobodalla Shire Council we await confirmation on additional public sites for the permanent display of the Acquisitive prize, which in turn increases the scope of potential entrants and art.
Willinga Park has been integral in assisting this years event. The world class equestrian centre has international award winning architecture, internationally recognised Sculptures and an unsurpassed garden which will be utilised for our event. All the key ingredients for a true destination event. As the Willinga Park area does not have Hotel or Food and Beverage options which Batemans Bay does, we will be integrating our marketing with Batemans Bay business and capitalising on the importance of the Canberra tourist route. This is a real opportunity for Batemans Bay to tap into a world class destination venue.
“We have made some changes to the format of the event” said Chamber of Commerce president, David Maclachlan. “This will enable us to overcome difficulties around bridge construction uncertainty, insurance, security and the site logistics of putting on such a major event with volunteers.”
“The changes will also allow the event to expand quickly as a true destination event bringing in domestic and international tourists, all to the benefit of local businesses and local resident, with a resultant legacy of a world class sculpture walk”.
The $60,000 total prize money which was entirely raised by Batemans Bay locals is still on offer. The money saved from working with Willinga Park will go to an additional sculpture acquisition for the Sculpture on Clyde Sculpture Walk.
The committee is also engaged with founding a local sculpture residency award and will shortly be in talks involving local artists for an underwater sculpture garden.
The two event venues will be linked by a bus shuttle service on the weekend.
“We are happy with continued support from Destination NSW, Eurobodalla Shire Council, State Member for Bega Minister Andrew Constance and Ann Sudmalis MP, Federal Member for Gilmore”, David Maclachlan said.
It’s a win for everyone and the Sculpture on Clyde committee is already busy with arrangements to make it happen. Entries close July 30 so artists are urged to continue sculpting their works so we can all enjoy them from August 25 until September 2.
