Fostering community engagement and positive well-being this free community event has developed over 22 years to encourage and stimulate established and emerging artists to show case their sculptures. This Great Southern Event is now well established on the local event calendar.

Located in the natural bushland surrounds of 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 casting 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.

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 fund raising 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.”

While the event no longer had a fit for the Friends, members of the Porongurup Community Association (PCA) saw the importance and popularity of the event and wanted to continue to attract people to the region whilst also supporting arts community.

Originally called Art in the Park, the venue has changed over the years, in the past held at Mount Trio Vineyard, the Karri On Bar, in the Castle Rock national park and finally came to rest aptly at the Porongurup Hall.

Hosted by a subcommittee of the Porongurup Community Association Inc. (PCA), a small but active not for profit volunteer group, this event meets their 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.