Scenic World’s annual art exhibition, Sculpture at Scenic World, attracted record visitor numbers this year.
Drawing to a close over the weekend of May 12-13, visitation for the 2018 exhibition jumped 20 per cent on the previous year, led by travellers from the ACT and NSW.
Sculpture at Scenic World was also a major drawcard for aspiring travellers, with 44 per cent of survey participants indicating that they specifically planned their visit to the Blue Mountains to coincide with the exhibition.
The exhibition also prompted over 2400 visitors to extend their stay in the Blue Mountains, resulting in increased overnight stays and visitor expenditure.
Sculpture at Scenic World exhibition curator Justin Morrissey said the exhibition provided a unique opportunity for visitors to reconnect with nature and experience sculptural installations in unexpected places.
“Sculpture at Scenic World offers a compelling reason to visit the Blue Mountains which is the envy of the world for its vibrant arts scene and stunning wilderness,” he said.
“We’re proud of the event’s continued success which is a testament to the talents of our staff and contributing artists.”
Recognised as a major tourism event under Destination NSW’s Flagship Event Fund, Sculpture at Scenic World also provides a valuable contribution to the Blue Mountains’ creative industries which employs eight per cent of the local population; almost twice the state average.
“It’s an honour to be part of an exhibition which contributes so much to our thriving creative industries sector, employing local art installers, filmmakers, photographers and artists, as well as partnering with local community groups and schools,” said Mr Morrissey.
In line with previous years, visitors enjoyed interacting with artworks, as showcased in the array of entries in this year’s Carrington Hotel People’s Choice Award where guests nominate their favourite artwork.
With more than 6600 votes received for the $1000 award, Victorian artist Rochelle Quantock was announced as the winner for her work, Choking Hazard, which used a series of colourful building blocks to explore the theme of sustainability.
Sydney artist Paul Greedy was also awarded the Artist Peer Award for his work, Pulse, which mimicked natural sounds of the forest floor in a thought provoking soundscape.
“Sculpture at Scenic World has exceeded our expectations, and we look forward to creating an even more exciting exhibition for our visitors next year,” said Mr Morrissey.
Information about the 2018 exhibition can be found at www.sculptureatscenicworld.com.au.
