Announcing our Awe Inspiring Award Winners for 2025
Open Judges Award - $2,500
'Small is Beautiful' by Kevin Judd
Judges’ comment: A true standout of the exhibition, the nesting wrens of Judd’s ‘Small is Beautiful’ blend effortlessly into the natural bushland setting while perfectly capturing the spirit of the Porongurup Range – a place of nature and nurture, of safety and care for each other. The beautifully layered construction of each form, visualised using locally sourced materials symbolic of the region, has been skilfully executed. The composition masterfully builds a sense of drama – The anticipation of movement captured by each wren poised and ready for action, while the watchful gazes of the expectant parents elicit feelings of protection and care for a future unhatched generation.
Open Judges Runner Up Award- $1,500
'Pod' by Dave Taylor
Judges’ Comment: The juxtaposition of smooth steel amongst textured soil and sea life set within land makes POD feel somewhat out of place at first glance yet entirely fluid and serene in the terrestrial landscape. Taylor’s expert execution and mastery of materiality create an ephemeral sense of momentary presences as the pod glides silently and purposely on its journey.
Open Judges Highly Commended
'Threads’ by Magali Oliver
Judges comment: Oliver’s Threads beautifully contrasts its modest materials and simple construction with a complex exploration of gender roles, creating a powerful impact. This thoughtful artwork invites viewers to reflect deeply on both personal and societal attitudes towards the “human-made constraints” we live with. Oliver masterfully highlights how our beliefs can often clash with our actions, sparking important conversations about acceptance and authenticity.
Open Judges Highly Commended
'Squawking Heads’ by Sue & George Corke
Judges Comment: The incredibly detailed, intricate and bold construction of Squawking Heads sit in beautiful harmony. A testament to collaboration – connection and understanding required to create a unique and beautiful artwork.
Open Judges Highly Commended
‘Porongurup Primate Portrait’ by Jane Forward
Judges Comment: The creativity and originality of Forward’s interactive artwork perfectly encapsulates the unique, joyful and accepting spirit of the Porongurup community. As viewers approach with initial cautious intrigue, the burst of enthusiasm to engage with the message and smiles while participating in the ‘Portrait’ was wonderful to witness.
Senior Youth Award (12-18 years old) - $800
'Devolution of Our Existence’ by Lilli Barndon
Judges Comment: The figures animated despair dressed within the depiction of our transition to an industrialised and urbanised society reminds us to not lose sight of those qualities that give strength to community, and which should always remain in the forefront of our minds.
Junior Youth Award (under 11 years old) - $200
'The Land of Lost Things' by Dempsey Hunter
Judges Comment: An early exploration and creative use of mixed media by the young artist. Like half-forgotten memories buried in our past, whilst some may be junk, there are hidden treasures waiting to be rediscovered and from which new can grow.
School Prize - $500
'Harmony Tiles' by Parklands School
Judges Comment: A collaborative reflection on the myriad ways in which we find harmony. Family, pets, community, friends, nature, peace and love. In a world that can feel so dis-harmonised in its current state, the students teach and remind us how easily it can be found.
Open People's Choice Award - First Place
'Small is Beautiful’ by Kevin Judd (#66)
432 out of 1,643 votes
Open People's Choice Award - Runner Up
‘Sea Shepherd' by Mitchell James Thompson (#55)
105 out of 1,643 votes
Open People's Choice Award - 3rd Place
‘George the Karda’ by South Stirling Primary School (#9)
91 out of 1,643 votes
Open People's Choice Award - 4th Place
‘Mmmarri’ by Larry Sawyer (#65)
79 out of 1,643 votes
Check out all 66 of our 2025 Art in the Porongurup Entries
Weren’t able to make Art in the Porongurup 2025 check out our entry photos below. You can also see additional trail photos further down this page, or follow us on Facebook!
Click here for the Event Catalogue.
All photos kindly provided by Julia Meyer.
Experience Our Nature Trail and Art Bazaar
About the Event
Fostering community engagement and positive well-being this free community event has developed over 23 years to encourage and stimulate established and emerging artists to showcase their sculptures. This free Great Southern Event is now well-established on the local event calendar.
Located in the natural bushland surrounding the Porongurup Hall this outdoor event provides the public with the chance to view and buy one-off sculptures and art pieces as well as cast their vote to help determine the People’s Choice award winner. In conjunction with Art in the Porongurup, the Porongurup Craft Group run their annual Art Bazaar, the two events entwine very well, complementing both Sculpture and Art.
Hosted by a subcommittee of the Porongurup Community Association Inc. (PCA), a small but active not-for-profit volunteer group, this event meets its core objective – to foster community spirit and fellowship in the Porongurup.
This event is popular with both adults and children. As there is no entrance fee it provides an economical family day out. Visitors can spend an hour or more looking through the sculpture nature walk, cast their vote and then look through the Art Bazaar and enjoy a coffee and cake or light lunch inside the hall. The event focus remains to motivate creative minds and create a fun, safe and enjoyable environment for all ages.
Key Event Information:
- Event Dates: 18 April to 26 April, 2025
- Entries Open: 1 November 2024
- Entries Now Closed
- Event Times: 9 am to 4.30 pm daily, closing midday on 26 April
- Presentation: Midday 26 April 2025
- Bump out: Exhibits can only be removed by artists or purchasers after the presentations on Saturday 26 April, 2025. If unable to collect on this day, please make written arrangements for someone to do so on your behalf. No responsibility will be taken for art works remaining on site after 1pm Saturday 26 April, 2025.
Event Judges:
Hatty Drummond
Hatty Drummond is an award-winning Architect and Artist, with works featured in local and international exhibitions. With a focus on creating proactive and socially conscious communities by addressing environmental and social sustainability challenges through the balance of form and function, or organic and highly prescribed intentional and unintentional design within our environment. Hatty’s diverse experience in delivering both public and private built form projects and involvement in design advocacy organisations such as, Open House Perth and Fremantle Design Week and the Australian Institute of Architecture Awards, contribute to her multi-disciplinary portfolio of Art-Design-Craft-Architecture and overall ethos that – Great design is good for everyone!
Trent Marwick
Trent Marwick has recently joined the team at Sculpture at Bathers as Exhibition and Site Manager to assist with the production of their 2025 exhibition. Prior to this, Trent worked with Sculpture by the Sea Incorporated for a decade, with five of those years as Site and Logistics Manager. In addition to general event production responsibilities, Trent specialises in working with established and emerging Australian and international sculptors, helping each to navigate their design and fabrication requirements to meet Australian and exhibition standards whilst acutely respecting the artist’s original intention for their artwork.
Event Committee:
- Event Coordinator: Sayah Drummond
- Treasurer: Fiona Glen
- Secretary: Kaysanne Knuckey
- Committee: Karen Brown, Pauline Cobain, Julia Meyer, Judy O’Neil, Wendy Diletti, Dylan Kennedy, and Lisa Harvey
General email enquiry:
artintheporongurup6324@gmail.com
Many thanks to our 2025 event sponsors...
Top-tier Sponsors
Bendigo Bank Mount Barker | Porongurup Inn, Shop & Tearooms | Mount Barker Co-op | Shire of Plantagenet | Porongurup Promotion Association | Friends of the Porongurup Range | Scrubby Creek Bush Camp
Mid-tier Sponsors
Lotherian Studio, Corkescrew Gallery, Karribank and Castle Rock Estate
Base-tier Sponsors
If you would like to support this event next year, please E: artintheporongurup6324@gmail.com or P: 0408 423 306
Spread the word about this great community event
Tag us on facebook @ArtinthePorongurup
#ArtinthePorongurup #sculpturetrail
History
Originally called Art in the Park, the venue has changed over the years, in the past, it was held at Mount Trio Vineyard, the Karri On Bar, in the Porongurup Range National Park by the Castle Rock car park and finally came to rest aptly at the Porongurup Hall. This event was initially started by the late Anne Burchell to assist the Friends of the Porongurup Range (Friends) to raise funds to assist the purchase of the 511ha Twin Creeks Conservation Reserve, land located on the agricultural plains between the Porongurup and Stirling Ranges. However, as explained by Friends’ President, Judy McKinnon, at the 2023 presentation, “With the help of extensive fundraising and community support the Friends’ objective was achieved several years ago. Whilst the reserve now boasts a mixture of protected plant communities, revegetated areas, and regrowth, we no longer need to run this event.” See more on their website www.porongurup.org.au/
Now hosted by the Porongurup Community Association Inc. (PCA), a small but active not-for-profit volunteer group, this event meets its core objective – to foster community spirit and fellowship in the Porongurup.
FAQs
Who can enter?
Anyone, whilst we promote this as a Great Southern event, if you can get your entry in in time, meet our T&C’s and be able to set up and pack down your sculpture, everyone is welcome.
Are there any specific media that artists can use?
There is no specific media. As long as your material can withstand wind, rain and sun and is not toxic to the environment it is up to the artist. Recycled material is making a comeback. Steel, wood, plastic, ceramic, brick, or a combination of multimedia, you choose.
Is there a theme?
The theme for the event is totally ‘Open’. The committee believes there are pro’s and con’s to having a theme. Some artists like direction, some like not to be limited in scope. We love the diversity of the entries by having an open theme.
Can you enter more than once?
We will only accept up to three entries per person or group. An entry may include multiple pieces with a cohesive theme. For example, the Albany Potters usually create their own theme for their sculptures to produce a multi work entry. It is very impressive.
How do you define a sculpture?
Entry is to be sculptural, broadly defined as a 3-dimensional exhibit. So the key here, your sculpture needs to have some form of depth.
What are the terms and conditions of entry?
We strongly recommend that artists review the T&C’s located on the entry form.
To view a full list of the 2024 winners, please click here.
To view images of all 2024 entries, please click here.