A 90kg chandelier, a gigantic metal bird and 1500 ceramic flowers are just some of the surreal additions to the Blue Mountains World Heritage Area wilderness as the inaugural Sculpture at Scenic World exhibition transforms the Jamison Valley rainforest into a spectacular outdoor gallery.

Created specifically for the exhibition by 26 local and international artists, the artworks are situated along Scenic World’s renowned Scenic Walkway, a 2.4-kilometre boardwalk on the Jamison Valley floor, and accessed via the Scenic Railway at Katoomba.

Each artwork is also a contender for the inaugural $20,000 Scenic World Acquisitive Award and a trophy designed by internationally acclaimed glass artist Keith Rowe.

The exhibition includes guided and independent tours, lectures, artist talks and exhibition sales. Entry is free with every Scenic Railway ticket, and Scenic World attraction packages and family passes are also available.

Date: 16 February – 11 March, 2012

Time: Daily from 9am – 5pm

Guided tours: Tuesdays at 1.30pm; Wednesdays & Sundays at 10.30am

Tour bookings essential: email reservations@scenicworld.com.au

Address: Corner of Violet Street & Cliff Drive, Katoomba NSW 2780

Ph: +61 (0)2 4780 0200

For more information visit: www.scenicworld.com.au/sculpture

Leura’s Lost Bear Gallery is currently exhibiting works by two Blue Mountains-based artists, Kayo Yokoyama and Tamara Mendels.

Kayo Yokoyama’s evocative Homeland series of works create miniature oases of contemplation through the use of engraved blown glass and objects. Her Under the Tree glasswork depicts a tiny chair viewed through the filigree pattern of bare tree branches.

“The landscape in an object is a metaphor, where the chair represents where I belong; homeland is a place I search for. Whilst I am sitting among trees, I am in my homeland”, she says.

In contrast, Tamara Mendels’ bravura brushstrokes are bent on revealing and concealing, an exploration conveyed through the application of layers of luminous colour encased in resin and white enamel paint to create bold original works.

Mendels has exhibited in both Australia and the United States while Yokoyama’s work has been selected for the Ranamok Glass Prize and is currently showing at the Art Gallery of Western Australia (Tom Malone Prize).

Both artists will attend the exhibition launch at Lost Bear Gallery on Saturday, 18 February from 3–5pm. See www.lostbeargallery.com.au for full details.

Date: 16–27 February 2012

Time: Daily from 10am–5pm

Venue: Lost Bear Gallery

5/148 Leura Mall, Leura

Ph: +61 (0)2 4784 1440

www.lostbeargallery.com.au

Image credits: Under the Tree by Kayo Yokoyama, courtesy of Lost Bear Gallery.

Falls Artfest 2011 takes place on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 October at Wentworth Falls Public School, Falls Road.

This fabulous annual event showcases affordable art and craft created by local Blue Mountains artists and spanning a range of mediums, including painting, drawing, sculpture, glass, photography, mixed media and original handmade arts and crafts.

This year's feature artist, sponsored by Chemmart Pharmacy Wentworth Falls, is Blue Mountains resident Sophie Seeger, who will exhibit a series of expressionist and abstract works.

The 2011 optional theme for artists, sponsored by WorldHeritageArt.com, is 100 Miles of Art, celebrating the local community and environment. WorldHeritageArt.com Chairman Maurice Cooper OAM is Chief Judge of the Falls Artfest panel, as well as trustee and patron of the Kedumba Drawing Award, major sponsor of Opera and Arts Support Group Inc and Judge for the NSW Tourism Awards. Mountain High Pies have generously sponsored the People's Choice Award.

As the school and event are not-for-profit members of Blue Mountains, Lithgow & Oberon Tourism (BMLOT), in conjunction with full member of BMLOT WorldHeritageArt.com purchasers will participate in the 'visitbluemountains.com.au Win a Bufori... and see where it takes you!' promotion. For every $50 spent on art or craft, purchasers receive an entry form for a chance to win a Bufori sports car, on display at the exhibition and valued at more than $150,000 as an ex-demonstration model.

For more information please visit the official website: www.fallsartfest.org.au.