Just over a month ago opinions were divided and the town was sceptical of placing a bunch of sculptures in Albion Park.

Now, after nearly a month of the new ‘sculpture park’ being in operation, it’s as if they were meant to be there all along.

Forbes Art Society couldn’t be happier with the result.

“Not only was it a tremendous opening but there has been a constant stream of people through the park since,” Forbes Art Society president Keith Mullette said.

“We’ve only received one negative comment and all the others have been very supportive.”

Forbes Art Society’s vision and plans to make Forbes a creative hub and tourist destination is coming to fruition after the successful launch of the Somewhere Down the Lachlan project, which has created a buzz in town and surrounding areas.

“Our objective was to launch the Sculpture Forbes and the Somewhere Down the Lachlan project and we’ve done that in great style,” Mr Mullette said.

“We also wanted people to be exposed to sculpture so that they can form opinions and that has certainly happened.

“Opinions have ranged from great objections to, on the night that I unveiled the Pyramid, a lady commented, ‘Oh, it’s actually beautiful’.

“There have been very different reasons why people have objected to the sculpture project – the main one was that people feel so fondly about the Albion that they didn’t want anything on that site except the Albion.

“So we’re hoping this will create some healing of that.”

With six sculptures in place during the month of October, the Albion Park was transformed from a plain empty park to something that people can admire.

“It’s an interesting spot now,” Mr Mullette said.

The Art Society have been thrilled with the response to the sculpture project since the launch, particularly the enthusiasm for the Amazing Project, now that people have seen the first letter.

“The progress of the Amazing Project has been astounding,” Mr Mullette said.

“We’ve had quite a number of donations, but a lot of donations in kind which make it possible to progress this much faster than we thought.

“I think that now that they’re seeing the scale of what we’ve been talking about all this time they see it as really significant.”

Unfortunately, as October comes to a close, three of the sculptures will be removed from the park, as they were only on display for the duration of the Sculpture Forbes competition.

However Mr Mullette said if the sculptors were willing to leave their sculptures there until they are sold, the Art Society would encourage that to happen.

The winning sculpture, ‘Shadows on the landing’ by Ingrid Morley, will remain in the park for the next year, along with the Pyramid sculpture.

The letter ‘a’ will also remain while the Amazing Project progresses.

Now, the Art Society are looking to the future and need the community’s help to continue the project to make it bigger and better. 

“The only thing remains now that will make us extremely happy is to get enough donations and support to run next year, as this is an ongoing thing,” Mr Mullette said.

“Next year we have to get the funds faster, so we’re keen to hear from people who can help…the more the better.”