Sculpture in the Parklands at Lough Boora Parklands in Co Offaly was presented with the prestigious Best Art/Sculpture Award 2007 at the Local Government, City and Council Awards ceremony held in Dublin on Saturday night.
The first works, from artists inspired by the landscape of the cut-away bog at Lough Boora, were commissioned in 2002 through a symposium where seven Irish and international artists worked over a three week residency.
Since then, artists from Ireland, Denmark, USA and the Netherlands have been commissioned to make permanent and temporary work for Sculpture in the Parklands.
Internationally renowned artist Patrick Dougherty has also been commissioned to create a major new art work for 2008 when Bord na Móna hosts the International Peat Conference in Ireland.
At the gala dinner, hosted by broadcaster Miriam O'Callaghan, Minister Dick Roche presented the Best Art/Sculpture Award 2007 to symposium initiator and artist Kevin O'Dwyer on behalf of Sculpture in the Parklands.
O'Dwyer was joined on stage by Tom Egan of Bord na Móna who has partnered the project since the Lough Boora International Sculpture Symposium in 2002.
More information on Sculpture in the Parklands is available online at: www.sculptureintheparklands.com
