Beauty to emerge from stone

Sculptures carved out of Oamaru's famous stone will start gracing Takaro Park this weekend.

The annual Oamaru Stone Symposium begins today in Oamaru and runs until November 20 – the weekend of the Oamaru Victorian Heritage Celebrations.

Up to 25 carvers sculpting around 50 tonnes of Oamaru Stone will be on site at the park for the next 15 days. It is the eighth time the event has taken place.

Organiser Matt King said the stone had arrived at the park yesterday and, although the ground was sodden after heavy rainfall, the venue was looking good.

There were several artists coming from Christchurch and a professional stone carver from France, he said.

The symposium was a chance for stone carvers to get together in one place.

"It's by no means competitive. [It's about] sharing knowledge of tools and ideas.

"It's not exclusive either. We've got people that are here for the first time."

He said the quality of stone carving was growing as the event grew.

"There's definitely some very polished work." Stone carving required "lots of energy" and there would be a barista serving coffee and food on site.

What: Oamaru Stone Symposium. When: Today – from 10am.

Where: Takaro Park, Oamaru.

- © Fairfax NZ News

Newest First

Oldest First