Posts Tagged ‘lake light’
Jindabyne Rallies to Secure ‘The BIG Chairlift’ as a Permanent Landmark
The Jindabyne Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to announce that, thanks to overwhelming community support, The BIG Chairlift sculpture by local artist Darragh Walsh will remain in Jindabyne permanently.
Over the Easter long weekend, a spirited community-led GoFundMe campaign raised an incredible $25,535 in just four days, surpassing the $25,000 purchase target set to secure the sculpture from the 2025 Lake Light Sculpture Festival.
More than 175 individuals, businesses, and organisations came together to contribute, reflecting the deep pride and affection the community holds for this striking piece of public art. Among the major supporters were Mayor Chris Hanna, who personally donated $5,000, and Shaun Turner from Doppelmayr Australia, whose $5,000 contribution early Sunday morning helped seal the deal and push the campaign over the line.
Created by Dalgety-based artist Darragh Walsh, The BIG Chairlift was inspired by the nostalgic silhouette of the old double Chairlifts now removed across Snowy Mountains resorts, a loving nod to Jindabyne’s alpine heritage and adventurous spirit.
Installed on the foreshore of Lake Jindabyne in the 2025 Light Light Sculpture Festival, the sculpture quickly became a fan favourite, drawing attention from locals, tourists, and social media audiences across the region. It became one of the most photographed pieces of the festival, with many willing it to be “a future landmark for the town”, and so the Jindabyne Chamber decided to do what they do best … spring into action and make it happen.
“Not only is the BIG Chairlift a magnificent sculpture, it’s a fitting symbol of our town’s identity, our shared memories, and our alpine spirit,” said Olivier Kapetanakos, President of the Jindabyne Chamber of Commerce. “The response has been nothing short of phenomenal, and we’re so proud to help keep it here in Jindabyne for locals and visitors to enjoy for years to come.”
“As Australia’s Alpine Playground, Jindabyne is the ideal setting for public art that reflects adventure and our seasonal rhythm from winter snowsports to mountain biking in the green season, capturing the true spirit of a town shaped by life in the alpine outdoors.”
The Jindabyne Chamber is now working closely with local stakeholders, including the Snowy Monaro Regional Council and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, to determine a permanent location for the sculpture — ensuring that The Big Chairlift becomes a lasting visual symbol for Jindabyne and a welcoming marker for all who arrive.
Thank you to Lake Light Sculpture for generously halving the commission on this piece, which will be a most welcome contribution to the installation costs.
The energy around this project has also inspired conversations about the broader role of public art in the region. Any surplus funds raised from the GoFundMe campaign will be reinvested into future art installations around the Lake Jindabyne foreshore, installations that reflect the area’s rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and community values. The Jindabyne Chamber sees this initiative as a starting point for a longer-term commitment to bringing meaningful, place-based art to public spaces across the town.
This project is a big win for the arts, it’s a celebration of Jindabyne’s character and capacity to unite behind a shared vision. Through grassroots generosity, artistic passion, and civic pride, The BIG Chairlift has a forever home in Jindabyne, and a legacy as big as the mountain spirit it represents.
What People Are Saying
The BIG Chairlift has drawn an outpouring of pride, gratitude, and community spirit from locals and visitors alike. Here’s what people are saying:
“How good is this? We now have the Big Chairlift! Put us on the map.” – Gary B.
“We’ll have to get a family photo of us, there should be enough room!” – Skye H.
“We will!” – Gary B.
— Gary B. & Skye H.
“Congratulations… Well done town folk… Great job, Darragh… Exactly what the town needed.”
— Edwina S.
“That’s sensational! So exciting for Jindabyne. Well done! Just the right piece for the foreshore. Love it.”
— Cansin D.F.
“It’s great news. Now Jindy will have a giant Chairlift as the symbol of town. Thank you Darragh. Every Aussie town needs a BIG something and Darragh Walsh has finally given us an opportunity to achieve this with your help, beautiful Jindabyne!”
— Trish & M. L.D.
“I would like to see it remain in Jindabyne. Our local Darragh Walsh has put many, many hours into making this. Perisher, Thredbo, Charlotte Pass, Selwyn, would also benefit greatly from purchasing the Big Chairlift.
Keep it local. Support Jindabyne locals.”
— Lynne Mc.
“You are amazing Jindabyne… Thank you Darragh for creating such a beautiful and relevant sculpture. Just another reason why the Lake Light Sculpture Festival is such an amazing event … thanks to all who put in the hard work to bring it back to life.”
— Linda R.
“Thank you to the Jindabyne Chamber of Commerce for organising the fund raiser. So good to have The Big Chairlift now residing in Jindabyne forever.”
— Snowy Mountains Magazine
“It’s wonderful seeing so many people getting behind this. How great is the Lake Light Festival!”
— Nicole W.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Fiona Latham-Cannon
Secretary, Jindabyne Chamber of Commerce
M: 0408688627
E: secretary@jindabynechamberofcommerce.org.au
W: www.destinationjindabyne.com.au
Lake Light Sculpture Festival in Jindabyne
Lake Light Sculpture is an inspiring outdoor sculpture exhibition and competition which will be held along the stunning foreshore of Lake Jindabyne in the Snowy Mountains of NSW from the 30th March to 2nd April 2018.
The Easter long weekend offers a fantastic opportunity to experience Jindabyne. The sculptures are displayed in an evocative setting with the reflections of the Snowy Mountains on the lake, providing a living studio for the artworks but it is as night falls that the real magic begins. Illumination has, since the festival’s inception, been a defining element of Lake Light Sculpture, and the sculptures are lit from sunset to 10pm each evening. Artists embed lighting, reflection and optical tricks into their sculptures to play on the light of Easter’s full moon. The effect is dramatic, transforming the already interesting sculptures and revealing hidden elements. It’s an ideal time to bundle up against the autumn chill and walk hand-in-hand with the ones you love along the foreshore.
Artists of every calibre – including professionals, experienced and emerging artists, community groups, and local tradesmen – participate in the event. Previous years’ prizes have included a sculpture residency at the Australian National University, the coveted People’s Choice Award, and the Illumination Award for the sculpture that best lights up the star-strewn night.
2018 Programme
Friday 30th March 2018
10am – Official Opening and announcement of the Award Winners
8am to 9pm – Sculptures exhibited for viewing and acquisition
Visit the exhibition tent near the Strzelecki Monument at Banjo Paterson Park to collect an Easter Events & Activities Guide (for a gold coin donation) and participate in the People’s Choice Award.
Saturday 31st March 2018
8am to 9pm – Sculptures exhibited for viewing and acquisition
Visit the exhibition tent near the Strzelecki Monument at Banjo Paterson Park to collect an Event Guide (for a gold coin donation) and participate in the People’s Choice Award.
Sunday 1st April 2018
8am to 9pm – Sculptures exhibited for viewing and acquisition
Visit the exhibition tent near the Strzelecki Monument at Banjo Paterson Park to collect an Event Guide (for a gold coin donation) and participate in the People’s Choice Award.
4pm to 6pm – Drinks with the Artists & Announcement of People’s Choice Award Winner
Monday 2nd April 2018
8am to Midday – Sculptures exhibited for viewing and acquisition
Visit the exhibition tent near the Strzelecki Monument at Banjo Paterson Park to collect an Event Guide (for a gold coin donation).
CALL FOR ARTWORKS
After its stunning success last Easter, the Lake Light Sculpture committee is Calling for Entries for the 2018 Event to be held next Easter on the foreshores of Lake Jindabyne from 30th March – 2ndApril 2018 with a record prize pool of $20,000 including the Major Prize of $10,000.
“Thanks to the generosity of local businesses, organisations and supporters of this event, we are again able to offer a prize pool of $20,000 including the Major Prize of $10,000” said Lake LightCommittee Chair, Lisa Matthes. “The illumination of the sculptures which may be viewed at night under the Easter Full moon makes Lake Light Sculpture a unique outdoor exhibition and to encourage artists to incorporate illumination into their artworks, we will again be offering an Illumination Award Category of $5,000 along with the People’s Choice Illumination Award Category”.
The Snowy Mountains’ area is a great holiday destination at Easter and the picturesque Snowy Mountains and Lake backdrop combined with glorious Autumn colours provide a wonderful setting for sculptures.
Longtime exhibitor to the event & multiple Major Award Winner, Eden’s Jesse Graham was thrilled to sell another of his sculptures, the 2018 Major Award winning piece Buoyansea to the Batemans Bay Chamber of Commerce where it is now proudly on display on Beach Road. This piece will join Song & Dance in his array of public arts acquisitions which was purchased by the Snowy Monaro Regional Council after the 2013 Lake Light Sculpture event.
With record sculpture sales last Easter, the event continues to grow and is now considered one of the feature events on the Snowy Mountains’ Summer calendar and the Regional Arts NSW calendar. Prize levels in all categories continue to be high with many diverse categories including a range of Environmental, Encouragement and Community Awards attracting entries from established professional and emerging artists, tradespeople, local school and community groups.
The Application Form can be found at www.lakelightsculpture.com.au and entries close 2nd March 2018.
For further information or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Lisa Matthes on 0409 553 651 or via info@lakelightsculpture.com.au
For high resolution images or other media information, please contact Annette Findlay on info@lakelightsculpture.com.au