Kimbolton Sculpture Festival 2023
Gary Stoneley
As with previous Kimbolton Sculpture Festivals the Kimbolton Rural Art committee put on a fantastic one-day festival.
Together with 200 other campers, we had the opportunity to camp in the paddock at the back of the festival from Friday through to Saturday. There’s nothing like being right on the spot where all the action happens.
The festival is a mix of small to very large artworks, sculptures with mainly a rural theme, put together using all manner of bits and pieces from shearing blades to bike tyres. The artworks are always impressive and it’s hard to comprehend the hundreds of hours of work that are put into creating them. This year’s sculptures had a very high quality of finish and I wouldn’t be surprised if there weren’t more than a few tears of frustration and exhaustion mixed with the passion and satisfaction in completing a masterpiece.
As well as the adult-entry competition sculptures there were competitions for local students and schools. A large number of craft and food stalls were distributed around the venue with something for everyone. There was a busy and lively vibe throughout the day that continued until a blast of rain put a bit of a damper on the event.
The weekend camping was hosted and managed by the All Points Camping Club of NZ with camping proceeds going towards sponsorship of the People’s Choice award. This year Regan Cooper’s winning sculpture ‘Terrybull’ (above) was well worthy of the $1,000 prize money.
A great weekend, well-enjoyed by campers and festival attendees alike. We are looking forward to the next Sculpture Festival scheduled for April 2025.
NEXT: April ‘25 Put it in your diary now.
recycled and found materials, gems from the back of the shed, made into unique sculptures
The weekend camping was hosted and managed by the All Points Camping Club of NZ with camping proceeds going towards sponsorship of the People’s Choice award.