Acquisitive Prize for Gresford Arboretum

Philippa Graham, Chair of Sculpture on the Farm, recently announced that the 2023 Sculpture on the Farm Exhibition to be held from 29 September to 2 October, will be awarding three Acquisitive Prizes at the 2023 Exhibition.

The three Acquisitive Prizewinning sculptures at the 2023 Sculpture on the Farm Exhibition will be presented for public display to Dungog district organisations. Previous sculptures have been and will again be presented to the Dungog Common Recreation Reserve and Dungog Council.

“This year I am absolutely delighted to award the third Acquisitive Prize to the Gresford and District Community Group for display at the Gresford Arboretum at the Gresford Community Park”, she announced.

An Acquisitive Prize, worth up to $15,000, is a sculpture purchased by Sculpture on the Farm and then donated for public display in the Dungog region. Previous Acquisitive prizes include ‘Nothin’ but Sky’ by Braddon Snape, displayed at the Lioness

Park Dungog and the ‘Kelpie’ by Jimmy Rix displayed outside the Dungog Visitor Information Centre.

Penny Kater, Secretary of the Gresford and District Community Group said she was

“honoured and delighted” that the Gresford Arboretum was to be a recipient of one of the winning sculptures. “I am so excited and looking forward to this wonderful addition to the Gresford Arboretum, situated in Community Park on Park Street Gresford”.

The Community Park is the home of the Gresford Historical Society located in the Therese Doyle Hall and the Gresford Arboretum that showcases local vegetation of trees, plants, and shrubs, especially those becoming rarer or at risk of being lost altogether. Further enhancing the park are the four amazing bird and native animal murals by local artist Chris Pike, the 20 Lacebark trees planted following receipt of the Queen’s Jubilee Tree Grant. Created from local trees the adventure playground for children provides even more opportunity for discovery and enjoyment by those who visit.

The 2023 Sculpture on the Farm Acquisitive Prize will be yet another addition to the Gresford Community Park.

The 2023 Gresford Show was overall a great success. Pavilion entries were strong and feedback from Stewards was that the quality of entries was exceptional. Congratulations to the Winner of the Mary Kealy Perpetual Award for Most Successful Exhibitor in the Pavilion sections, Mrs Eileen Challinor. Congratulations also to the winner of the Committee Special Art Class, Josh Evans- you obviously have a knack with the paintbrush (or paying off the judges !!)