The offering of 'Mother Earth', 'Letting Go 2', 'Soaring Eagle', 'Symmetry', 'Rooster' and 'Soul Searching' by various members of the community was celebrated on October 29, 2021.

Mudgee and Gulgong health services manager, Kylie Strong said the "incredible pieces of work" that were for sale at the 2020 Sculptures in the Garden, have become a talking point among staff, patients and visitors to the hospital.

"People come into our hospitals often on the worst days of their lives and this is just a little bit of a break from that clinical area. It gives them a chance to stop and engage with something other than what they may be here for," Ms Strong said.

"What's been really interesting is the way people have engaged with them. I've heard people standing outside, talking about how they made it, it's been really interesting.

"They're not just walking past them, they're actually stopping to discuss them, look at them and wonder about them. They're a real high point."

Mudgee Health Council chair, Joe Sullivan described the sculptures as a "wonderful acquisition for our community as a whole", and hoped they would spark joy for years to come.

"These thoughtful donations will help our patients, visitors and staff for generations to come," Mr Sullivan said.

Once selected, another sculpture will join the established six at the Mudgee Hospital, something to the delight of Sculptures in the Garden founder, Kay Norton-Knight.

"Art should be in the community so it can be viewed, touched and discussed, particularly with those in the hospital who may need a distraction," she said.

The sculpture benefactors were the Bennett family, the Buchanan family, Liz Loneragan, work friends of John Mini and Robbie Gillham at Ulan Coal and the Mid-Western Regional Council.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: