Last weekend for Sculpture in the Paddock

ARTS: This weekend marks the last chance to view Sculpture in the Paddock before it wraps up for another year.

Organiser Al Phemister said this year’s showing had exceeded all expectations, saying by Thursday they’d achieved 9500 visitors through the gates at Cooma Cottage to view the exhibition – more than double last year’s total.

They are expecting to surpass the 10,00o visitor mark early in the weekend, and are also providing the opportunity to mix with the contributing artists at tomorrow afternoon’s Picnic in the Paddock. 

“We’re having a Picnic in the Paddock at 4pm Sunday and we’ve invited all the artists and anyone who wants to come. Bring your own picnic, food and drinks, we’ll have a barbecue available,” he told Scoop.

“As we get into the evening, two of the sculptures have solar lights that light up so you will be able to view them in all their glory in the paddock.

“It’s definitely the last chance for a wander around paddock – the last chance to use the labyrinth – and we’re hoping to have music performances too.” 

Visitors can still  vote for the Yass Gold Club People’s Choice Award this morning before the big announcement early tomorrow. The visitor’s Photography Award competition winner will also be announced.

The 2015 Sculpture in the Paddock Prize has been awarded to Dan Moor for Fountain.

Roger Buckman received a commendation for the judges for his work Lucy on Display. 

The Yass Soldiers Club Encouragement Prize went to Sian Watson for Come on Rusty, a piece that kept everyone chuckling.

And the Tuggeranong Art Centre prize was awarded to Stephen Harrison for Barrel and Dagger (MacBeth).

More than $18,000 worth of sculpture has been sold during the exhibition, making the exhibition a boon not just for the local tourism economy, but for local artists themselves. Figures on the actual tourism dollars and visitor numbers are still being collated and will be reported shortly.