Let stunning sculpture lure you along the garden path

The second Stoneleigh Sculpture in the Gardens exhibition will open at the Auckland Botanic Gardens this weekend, offering 20 works on a 1.8km trail through the grounds.

From Saturday 7 November, visitors can enjoy an inspiring stroll around the large-scale sculptures by top New Zealand artists, along with an indoor exhibition of smaller works, Sunday music sessions and guided walks.

"The Auckland Botanic Gardens is a magnificent setting for a sculpture exhibition," says Auckland regional councillor Sandra Coney. "It's wonderful to see people from all over the region, from all backgrounds and of all ages, soaking up art in the outdoors - and for free."

More than 314,000 people visited the first exhibition in 2007/08 at the Auckland Botanic Gardens, which is on Hill Road, Manurewa, just off the southern motorway. Based on that popularity, this summer's show will run for longer, closing on 14 February 2010.

New Zealand talent on show

Nine sculptors whose work appeared in Stoneleigh Sculpture in the Gardens 2007/08 have returned this year, including inaugural McConnell Property Supreme Award winner Barry Lett, Waitakere artist John Edgar and corrugated iron sculptor Jeff Thomson.

From Waiheke Island to Invercargill, the contributing artists come from around New Zealand and show a breadth of talent, both new and well-established. This year's McConnell Property Supreme Award will be chosen by the exhibition's curatorial panel and revealed publicly when the event opens.

Visitors can vote for their favourite sculpture to win the Stoneleigh People's Choice Award, which will be announced at the exhibition closing.

Stoneleigh Sculpture in the Gardens was the brainchild of the Friends of the Auckland Botanic Gardens. To mark the Friends' support of the show, a sculpture will again be bought for the gardens' permanent collection.