The towering ficifolia sculpture at Drouin’s Civic Park is having its official name announced at a formal celebration, with the entire community invited to attend.
Held on Saturday, 20 August at the Sound Shell in Civic Park, the event will coincide with the Drouin Craft and Produce Market.
Attendees are encouraged to explore the market and ample meal options from nearby cafes and restaurants prior to the event.
Taking pride of place within the pond at Drouin’s Civic Park, the 300kg sculpture was developed as part of council’s $1.48 million Drouin Civic Park redevelopment project.
The sculpture represents the Corymbia Ficifolia – or red flowering gum – a local floral icon that is frequently found around Drouin and the namesake of the town’s annual Ficifolia Festival.
Designed by local Gippsland artist Jo Caminiti, the sculpture employs an eclectic mix of materials including spoons, chicken wire, saucepans, pipes, and sheets of metal to bring the distinctive ficifolia form to life.
At the event, Jo will be joined by her mother, Norma Harrison, and recently retired former cultural development officer Karen Whittaker-Taylor, to take part in a brief panel discussion about the inspiration and development of the sculpture.
The official name for the sculpture, as voted by the community via the West Gippsland Arts Centre’s social media channels, will be announced at the event.
Mayor Michael Leaney said the iconic sculpture was hard to miss.
“This event will allow us to formally recognise the outstanding work of the artist and all others involved in bringing this sculpture to life and highlighting its new name moving forward,” Cr Leaney said.
“I look forward to seeing many of our community members there.”
