Contempora 2, Arts Initiative, Retail Shops Australia, Retail Products, Fashion Retail Store, Retail Services

I am proud to support the inaugural 2005 Docklands Festival of Sculpture at NewQuay and have accepted the role of Patron of this significant Festival, to be known as contempora 2, for the next 5 years.

This new festival of sculpture, to be held at the Docklands in March each year, is designed to utilise the wonderful public spaces and walkways of the emerging Docklands with the creative brilliance of today and tomorrows artists. Importantly, it will encourage the public, young and old, to touch, taste and feel the sculptures and installations.

Works selected for the Festival will be considered according to criteria including - their ability to stand exposure to Australia 's variable weather, durability, sustainability and their response to the unique Docklands environment. Most will be large, in order that they might find permanent homes in public places, sponsored by corporate, private and government entities.

This festival will expand on the valuable work done by organisations such as the McClelland Gallery at Langwarrin, and the encouragement provided by The Helen Lempriere National Sculpture Awards at Werribee Park .

Importantly, the festival will further add to Victoria 's rich cultural reputation. contempora 2 builds on the dream associated with the original Contempora - large sculptures and installations, by creative people that excite, delight and at times, offend. But that is art.

When  contempora 2 delivers on our vision, it will further enhance my belief that cultural initiatives, be they in the arts, architecture, commerce, government or sport, create the place where people want to live.