Bathurst Regional Council will take home a sculpture from this year's Sculpture by the Sea, thanks to a $20,000 grant from the NSW Government, Minister for Tourism, Major Events and the Arts, George Souris, has announced.
Mr Souris said the NSW Government supported this new initiative to extend the reach of Sculpture by the Sea by bringing one of the sculptures to a regional NSW community, permanently.
"Following a competitive expressions of interest process with applications from 29 local councils in regional NSW, Bathurst Regional Council has been selected as the council that will choose a sculpture from this year’s exhibition," he said.
"The chosen sculpture will be transported to Bathurst following the exhibition. It will join the sculpture, Pink Rose Bowl by Australian sculptor, Anne Ferguson, on the grassed forecourt area at the entrance to the Bathurst Regional Art Gallery and Bathurst City Library complex.
Mr Souris was joined at the announcement by the Member for Bathurst, Paul Toole, and the Mayor of Bathurst, Gary Rush.
Mr Toole, said this exciting initiative will add to the cultural fabric of the Bathurst community which has been chosen to be caretakers of the work.
"Members of the Bathurst Regional Council will visit Sculpture by the Sea to select the sculpture. The selected sculpture and the artist will be announced in November.
"This acquisition will help Bathurst Regional Art Gallery to turn the forecourt into a sculpture walk. This will be a great asset for the Bathurst community, and will attract significant interest from locals and visitors alike."
Mr Souris encouraged people from across the state to view this unique exhibition.
"Sculpture by the Sea has become one of Sydney’s signature events. The exhibition attracts approximately 400,000 visitors each year, including 20,000 who travel from interstate and overseas specifically to see it," Mr Souris said.
"The event will run from 24 October to 10 November. As part of our commitment to encouraging participation in arts and cultural activities, the NSW Government is proud to support Sculpture by the Sea with funding of over $300,000 in 2013."