This year’s Sculpture on Clyde exhibition in Batemans Bay has been granted a reprieve after 11th hour negotiations – but international exhibits have been cancelled and the site remains in question.
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Crisis talks between event organisers and Eurobodalla Shire Council took place on Monday, June 18.
On Friday, the Batemans Bay Business and Tourism Chamber announced this year’s event would be “cancelled” after a dispute with the council over event requirements.
A chamber spokesperson said concerns included a “restrictive site” for the display of the sculptures and the inclusion of a council representative on the sculpture judging panel.
A council spokesperson on Monday said Eurobodalla Shire Mayor Liz Innes had requested a meeting with chamber representatives to prevent “unnecessary cancellation” of the event.
Cr Innes told the Bay Post/Moruya Examiner the discussions were positive.
“We worked through the issues and confirmed they weren’t preventing the event from proceeding,” Cr Innes said.
“I look forward to seeing this wonderful event continue, and I’m really pleased that following our meeting, the chamber lodged the event management plan with council for approval.”
Speaking on Tuesday, chamber president David Maclachlan said organisers were doing all they could to ensure the event proceeded smoothly despite the loss of draw-card international exhibitors.
It was hoped the event would continue on the scheduled dates of August 24 to September 3. However, the deadline had been missed for international art to be included and the site was yet to be decided.
“We have missed our window for international art to be shipped to Australia for this year's event,” Mr MacLachlan said.
“Through overwhelming support from the community and in combination with the council making a series of concessions, we want to proceed with the event.
“This is a difficult and expensive exercise and we are doing everything possible as volunteers to make sure this happens.
“We are looking at site options and other options for the primary purpose of supporting the creation of a world-class sculpture walk – which was the primary purpose of the event – and with regard to the event, that we create a destination event that encourages tourism to Batemans Bay and the area.”
Mr MacLachlan said the chamber would seek support from the council regarding the event format, before a final decision was made.
The inaugural 2017 event attracted more than 70 artworks, which were displayed on the banks of the Clyde River in Batemans Bay and in an indoor gallery.
$50,000 in prize money was expected to be on offer for the winning sculpture this year.
