The Gardens will host the inaugural Up the Garden Path exhibition, showcasing 70 eye-catching sculptures from more than 20 South Coast artists, all inspired by the natural environment. 

Curator and Eurobodalla artist, Andrea Warren, said tomorrow’s official opening would bring to fruition more than a year of behind-the-scenes planning.

“The aim of this exhibition is to draw locals and visitors to explore the Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Gardens’ indoor and outdoor spaces in a new way, with an enhanced view of the existing natural environment,” Ms Warren said.

“We are hoping that Up the Garden Path will encourage melding of local artists to building more cohesion in the arts community and enriching the Shire’s local and visitor population.”

With artists sourced from the Eurobodalla, Shoalhaven and Braidwood, Ms Warren said the event was an exciting display of the region’s diverse creative talent.

“It is great to see such diversity in the works and mediums,” she said.

“From steam-punk sharks to threaded leaves; from sandstone carvings to baskets made using Aboriginal weaving techniques. Bronzes, ceramics, textiles and fibre-based works all reflecting the breadth of artistic talent within this creatively rich community.”

Ms Warren said the exhibit explored the relationship between people and place, with the artworks expressing the merger of culture and nature.

Gardens manager, Michael Anlezark, hoped the exhibit would become a staple of the Eurobodalla’s arts calendar, with the potential to become an annual or biennial event.

“Sculptures have complemented gardens for centuries and the Gardens is a wonderful venue to showcase the broad range of artistic talents we have in our region,” he said.

The exhibition marks the Garden’s latest coupling with the arts scene, building upon the venue’s involvement with the River of Art Festival and Shakespeare in the Gardens.

The sculptures will be on display from Friday, October 13 to Sunday, October 29, during the Garden’s opening times.