From lyrebirds to landscapes, Sculpture Bermagui showcases art in nature

"There's a sculptor from Eden who's going to produce a five-metre-high lyrebird," said festival director Ivan Baker.

"There's been several sculptors here in the order of eight or ten metres, so the advantage is we can offer people enormous amounts of space to throw together really interesting and engaging works."

Now in its 19th year, Sculpture Bermagui was set to run from March 8 to 16, with pieces from more than 80 artists displaying their work on Dickinson Point Headland.

More fragile pieces were to be on show in the local surf club.

"It's free and easily accessible, and a lot of the works are fun and easy to engage with," said Ivan.

"It's a really popular event down here because it's run by the community, it's of the community, and people appreciate that."

Interest in the festival had skyrocketed in recent years, with applications growing from 150 to 240 in the past five years.

"We have a unique advantage in that our gallery is the headland with a view backdrop of the sea and Gulaga mountain," said Ivan.

"So, you know, it's a rare opportunity for them to show their works in a place where they can connect directly with that sort of landscape."

Works were selected by the festival's four-person panel not only for artistic integrity, but for public safety.

"The team does a rough cull based on safety of the materials, in other words, is it safe as a public piece of art, so kids running past aren't going to impale themselves," said Ivan.

The size and number of sculptures weren't the only things that grew in recent years, with the festival's major prize raised to $25,000 out of a total prize pool of $50,000.

Unlike other public festivals, Sculpture Bermagui was entirely funded through the sale of artworks rather than state or federal arts grants.

"We are self-sustaining and we don't receive any funding from anybody," said Ivan.

"It's a commercial opportunity for the artists, and we say our mission is to support artists to sell their work."

While the festival itself was entirely free to visit, organisers were sure to offer affordable pieces for aspiring collectors.

"At the bottom end this year, there are quite a few pieces in the $250 range, but also ranging, in the past, up to $80,000," said Ivan.

"It's a broad range from talented amateurs through to really high-end professionals, so we think there's usually something there for everybody if they want to collect."

Alongside the main sculptural event, Sculpture Bermagui had arranged for a collaboration with Walbunja/Monaro artist Cheryl Davison, who will present her large-scale sculptural and screen print installation, Warigamban at Four Winds.

There was also set to be an open day at the Narra Bukulla property, where visitors were able to view the sculpture collection on the Marr Grounds' property, and meet resident artist Margaret Seymour.

Sculpture Bermagui kicks off at 10am on Saturday, March 8, with a Welcome to Country by Uncle Warren Foster featuring First Nations dancers on the headland.

For more details visit sculpturebermagui.org.au.