While I was on holiday, I visited a fantastic sculpture park in the San Juan Islands, with about 150 sculptures spread across 20 acres and accessed by five walking trails which were linked. I loved seeing the art, reading about the artist and the work, and seeing little signs throughout the park; such as, “To send light into the darkness of men’s heart – such is the duty of the artist” (Robert Schumann).
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The park is located on San Juan Island outside a small town and harbour and gets about 40,000 visitors per year. This is a permanent exhibition with sculptures staying there two years unless sold before. The park is run by volunteers and is not staffed, but a donation box exists. Art to be exhibited is selected on the merits of the art and how it complements the park, not on how well-known the artist is. The chosen artists arrange installation and are charged a 30 percent commission when the works are sold.
There are many permanent sculpture parks around the world, including the Connells Bay Park in New Zealand, Chiantes Sculpture Park in Italy, and Peace River Gardens in Florida. Have you visited any exciting ones?
Would a permanent sculpture garden work in Yass? At Cooma Cottage? It might be worth a thought.
I really enjoyed Sculpture in Paddock as conceived by Yass artists Al Phemister, Duncan Waugh and the late Kim Nelson as part of the 2013 YASSarts celebration weekend.
We are lucky to have so many talented and acclaimed artists in our community, and it was wonderful to be able to visit the sculptures a number of times over the event for a donation (or not). When driving by this event, I would often be reminded that I really wanted to return to see some particular sculptures again, and would do so; often visiting the labyrinth as well.
I know times change and moving this event to Murrumbateman probably occurred as a commercial decision, but I think may have been a mistake. I see scope to have the two very different events: Sculpture in the Paddock and Sculpture in the Vineyard. One could be a community event and one more commercial.
Don’t get me wrong. Except for poor signage getting to, and at the event, and the mandatory cost, I really enjoyed the sculptures this year.
Unfortunately I missed finding the schools exhibit and thought the works on the winery tasting building veranda where not displayed very well. However, year one is always a learning experience for new events.
If you enjoy these sculpture walks, Bondi’s Sculpture by the Sea starts on October 18 and look out for Sculpture in the Paddock next year.
