The launch of the 2015 Sculpture Forbes competition was a huge success with an impressive turn out of people who came to view the great new sculptures on display in the ‘art park’

“It was a really good turnout, more than last year,” co-organiser of the event and Somewhere Down the Lachlan founder Rosie Johnston said.

In general, there seemed to be a great excitement from the crowd about the future direction of the sculpture competition and the tourism and economic benefits it has the potential to bring.

“It was terrific...the atmosphere was happy, interested and very attentive,” Forbes Art Society president, Keith Mullette said.

The feature of the night was the announcement of the 2015 Sculpture Forbes Acquisition prize winner - ‘Bird and I’ by Harrie Fasher.

‘Bird and I’ will now stay in Albion Park for at least 12 months, before becoming part of the Somewhere Down the Lachlan sculpture trail.

Kandos artist Christine McMillan won the open section of Sculpture Forbes with her work ‘Disc’.

Renowned sculptor, Alan Somerville was the judge of the competition and attended Thursday night’s launch to announce the winning entries.

“All the entries are intriguing and appealing in their own way but there can only be one winner,” he said. 

Forbes Art Society also took the opportunity on Thursday night to officially hand over the Pyramid sculpture to Forbes Shire Council.

The Pyramid was given to the Art Society and the community by sculptors Gillie and Marc and now it has been donated to council.

Deputy mayor Graeme Miller accepted the donation on behalf of council.

“One thing we can say is whether you’re for [the Pyramid] or against it we’re so lucky to be able to express our opinions,” he said.

A highlight of Thursday evening was the chance for people to get up close and personal with the ‘amazing’ sculpture which was on display.

Each of the last six letters (yet to be powder-coated) were made by a group of generous local farmers, many of whom were in attendance on Thursday night.

There was also a video projected onto the Michael Robinson Real Estate wall which showed the farmers building the letters of ‘amazing’.

Mr Mullette said it was great to highlight the ‘amazing’ sculpture and the “really fantastic” contribution the community made.

“We’re looking forward to this continuing and we’re looking forward to having the ‘amazing’ on the trail soon,” he said.

Ms Johnston said the community support shown on Thursday night was heartening and that now the focus was on trying to encourage some top sculptors to enter into next year’s Sculpture Forbes competition.

“I’m just so pleased that there’s an indication that there’s more support and we’re building support,” she said. “Now we’ve got to get onto 2016 Sculpture Forbes. We’re relying on everyone to use their contacts and get the word out there to get some nice entries.”