About The Festival

Spirit of the Land Festival

8th - 9th October 2011

The Spirit of the Land Festival Lockhart took shape in response to the worst drought in the Shire’s 110 year history and escalating concerns over rural suicide and economic hardship.

It is unique amongst Australian Festivals as it hosts Australia’s ONLY National Farm Art Sculpture Awards for sculpture created from recycled farm materials and natural elements of the land. It has a prize pool of over $15,000 with a first prize of $10,000. The first Festival in 2007 was a celebration of the resourcefulness of those living and working on the land.

National and international press, attracted by “farm art” and Lockhart’s unique approach to overcoming depression came from China, Brazil, United States America, United Kingdom, Germany and New Zealand. Documentaries and news stories were broadcast to 16 countries in six languages attracting major sponsorship.

Now it is an annual event held on the second weekend in October each year and has grown to include fine art and indigenous exhibitions, massive markets, and all the best in country hospitality. 

This years programme highlights are:

  • Farm Sculpture Awards
  • Fine Arts and Indigenous Exhibitions
  • Massive weekend markets and food and wine fest  

“we’ve got the spirit”

 

 

National Farm Art Sculpture Award
for 2010
Awarded to Mr Keith Simpson
"The Good Old Days" 
 
·         Sculpture Runner Up Andrew Whitehead "Bondi Barbie" - $2000. 
·         Local Sculpture Award: Max Thomas "Crop Duster" (sponsored by Lockhart Community Bank)- $1,000
·         Highly Commended Large Sculpture: Trevor Beckwith "Ode-a-phone" - $500
·         Highly Commended Small Sculpture: Ross Fairley "Flower Pot"- $500
·         Commended Large Sculpture: Rob Muirhead “Eagle” 
·         Commended: Stuart Spragg “Bucking Bronco”
 

 
·         Commended: Kurrajong Waratah “Totem Poles” Lisa Edwards with "Totem Poles"
  

 
·         Indigenous Art: Stanley Hooper "Elder Feature - $1,000
·         Painting Winner: Sue Dyde "Musical Kaleidoscope - $1,000
·         Youth Art Award: Phoebe Train - $50 (sponsored by Sylvia Mulholland)
·         Photography:  Kathryn Mitch “Pretty Valley – Ghost Gums & Dark Sky” $500
·         Sculpture People's Choice “Victa Wedgie”
·          People's Choice Painting : After double count.  Carol Stewart was the winner with equal votes for “What Bird Was That?" and "A Rainy Day in Melbourne".