The 2.5-acre garden was also part of the 2017 Crookwell Garden Festival.

Over 800 people came through the gates on Saturday alone.

A crowd favourite was Gabrielle Saville’s ‘In Flanders Field’ – an installation of 102 red poppies, an appropriate monument to Remembrance Day.

With 130 works on display by renowned and emerging artists, there was stiff competition judged by Feyona Van Stom, president of the Sculptors Society. 

First prize, sponsored by the Upper Lachlan Shire Council, went to Tobias Bennett for his piece ‘Much Like Life’.

‘Inspector’ by Witness Bonjisi, a Shona Master Carver from Zimbabwe, won second prize which was sponsored by Chris Rowlands and Associates.

Third prize, sponsored by Willowtree Sculpture Garden, went to the ethereal glass work ‘Half Moon Island’ by Alison Mortiss.

Sally Wilson won the Willowtree Sculpture Garden annual prize for Sculptural Wall Hangings and Paintings – sponsored by Doug McIntyre, Architect - for her painting ‘City’.

Highly Commended pieces included ‘Who Let the Dogs Out?’ by Gabrielle Saville, ‘My First Kiss’ by Stephen Murenza, a Shona Sculptor, ‘Rainbow Warrior’ by Jeffrey Frith, both ‘Lizard’ and ‘Frog’ by Arenaria and Peter Lewis’ ‘Sun Worship’.

Willowtree Sculpture Garden is one of the few permanent sculpture gardens in Australia.

The curation and display of sculpture in an outdoor setting were the central design considerations of founder-owners Anna Pye and Rachael Mayne.

Anna Pye, who is also a sculptor, says: “The creation of vantage points, of height and of perspective, counterpointed with features found in gardens such as a grove of trees, an orchard row, a hedge, open lawn and retaining walls, allows visitors to envisage how pieces would look in their garden or outdoor space.”

2017 'Sculpture in the Village' is open to visitors 10 am – 4 pm daily until Sunday 19 November.