Canberra Grammar School hosted the inaugural CGS Sculpture Festival this year as part of celebrations to mark the School’s 85th anniversary. The month long Festival , which ran from 16 October to 16 November, showcased the work of local and regional sculptors, with works set against the magnificent backdrop of the School’s historic grounds.
The Festival launched on Thursday 16 October with the presentation of the Harris Hobbs Small Sculpture Prize to the value of $10,000. Some excellent local and regional artists entered their work for the Festival, along with entries from current students, as well as Old Boys who have gone on to engage in careers in the arts.
The campus is an ideal venue to highlight the range of sculptural forms on display. The notion of providing a stimulating environment has always been part of the vision for the School, which sits amongst some of Canberra’s most beautiful gardens. Many of the plantings on campus are decades old, nestling amongst immaculately maintained, landscaped gardens. The Australian Open Garden Scheme supported the projects and accordingly the grounds of CGS were open to the public during the event. Public Open days were held every Saturday and Sunday across the Festival, giving visitors the opportunity to experience the historically significant grounds for themselves.
CGS has helped to shape the history of Canberra and will continue to play a major role in its future. With an extensive network of alumni, Old Boys can be found in all walks of Canberra life. It is therefore no surprise that the School is active in its approach to giving back to the Canberra community. CGS is a strong supporter of the arts in Canberra and the region. The Sculpture Festival is one way that the School is demonstrating its commitment, giving local and regional artists an opportunity to display and even sell their works. The open days further offered CGS a way to give back, with gold coin donations collected upon entry to the grounds and given to the Boundless Children’s Playground.
Update: Mr Trevor Dunbar, Director of the CGS Gallery and CGS Design, Art and Technology teacher, was awarded the prestigious Ian Powell Memorial Award at the 2014 Presentation Night on Friday 5 December. The Ian Powell Memorial Award recognises a special contribution to the life of the School by a member of staff. Mr Dunbar was nominated by his peers for his dedication and hard work in coordinating the Sculpture Festival, and in recognition of the extraordinary impact the Festival had on the students, staff and families of CGS, and for many in the wider Canberra community.
