Bumper crowd expected to grab last chance to follow the trail of 66 sculptures at Art in the Porongurup

The prize winners of the Art in the Porongurup event will be announced on Saturday after a successful week-long exhibition hosted in and around the Porongurup Hall.

The event showcases artists of all ages and calibres, from local schools to respected creatives who submit works year after year.

More than 1400 people had visited the trail by Tuesday afternoon with a bumper crowd expected again on the final weekend before it comes to a conclusion on Saturday.

There are 66 sculptures to be viewed, spanning artists including Linda Rae with her heat-moulded, upcycled single-use packaging trapdoor spider to Ashton Vermeulen, who has entered in the youth 5-11 category, with his own eight-legged arachnids.

The artworks outside the hall are boosted by the art bazaar inside.

The bazaar features a wonderful mix of crafts, paintings and clothing.

Julia Meyer, from the event organising committee, said it was marvellous seeing so many people in the area.

“It’s been so special seeing everyone strolling the trail with the sculpture catalogue and hearing parents reading aloud to their children,” she said.

“It’s been great seeing so many people coming to the Porongurups.”

The 66 entrants matched last year’s record haul with even poets getting in on the act this year.

“We have had a couple of poets and writers who have seen the opportunity to get their words into 3D, something they are doing for the first time,” Ms Meyer said.

A week, she said, is long enough to keep the place buzzing.

“Our community here is so small, but we’ve had upwards of 30 volunteers a day helping to run the event,” Ms Meyer said.

“We’ve also got a wonderful committee — everyone has so many different jobs, it’s hard to keep up and by the end we are all totally exhausted.”

Last year’s winner was Kevin Judd with his remarkable Small is Beautiful, a stunning bird and nest which took out both the open and people’s choice awards.