Organisers of Sculptures in the Garden have called this year’s event on October 11 and 12 their “best year yet”.
Amber Norton-Knight from Rosby Wines said more than 2300 visitors walk through the gates over the weekend, and more than 50 per cent of the sculptures went home with new owners – including three headed for public places around the Mid-Western region, thanks to Council.
The total amount raised over the two days for Guide Dogs NSW/ACT was over $20,000.
“The Mudgee Support Group for Guide Dogs volunteers worked hard over the two days to raise this figure through entry fees, raffles and catering,” Ms Norton-Knight said.
“Guide Dogs NSW/ACT will also get a share of the commission from the sale of sculptures, and the Sculptures in the Garden Committee hope to announce this final figure in the coming weeks.”
An addition to the annual public art event, a new feature, the Children’s Labyrinth was very popular with the children and was a great space to display the many entries the committee received from younger local artists.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore found it very hard to judge children’s entries and after much deliberation awarded prizes to several budding young artists and classes.
Prize winners were:
Preschool Category
Winners - Mudgee Preschool - Creatures from the Garden; Highly commended - Mudgee Preschool, Owls.
Infants Category
Winners - Mudgee Public School KB - Where the Wild Sticks Are; Highly commended - Mudgee Public School KS, Ouch!
Primary Category
Winners - Hargraves Public School - Fish Garden; Highly commended - Lue Public School, Blue Chooks; Highly commended - St Matthew’s Yr 5, Local Connections
High School Category
Winners - Kandos High School Yr 7, Janus Faces; Highly commended - Helena Shearman, New Beginnings.
Kay and Gerald Norton-Knight thank the Mid-Western Regional Council and Moolarben Coal for their support for the event and the Sculptures in the Garden Committee for their hard work and ongoing commitment to the event.
