Woodbridge Community Association (WCA) unveiled a brand new sculpture for the Potters’ Corner Memorial Park on Wednesday, April 16.
The sculpture is of a weedy seadragon, crafted by Evie Silver.
Evie won the 2023 Kingborough Acquisition Prize alongside Bruny Island artist Dan Tucker, and their winning sculptures were installed in Art Farm Birchs Bay.
Local Sue Leschen fell in love with Evie’s sculpture when she visited Art Farm last year and envisioned it installed in Potters’ Corner Memorial Park.
As this sculpture belongs to Kingborough Council, Sue instead contacted Evie to commission a new sculpture.
A weedy seadragon, according to Sue, was a perfect fit for the park.
“It’s aesthetic and it fits in with the Channel,” she said.
Just across the road from the park is the Marine Discovery Centre, and even more serendipitously, Sue has come to learn that there are also weedy seadragons to be found under the wharf in Woodbridge.
The WCA combined forces with the Beautify Woodbridge group, who raised funds by selling handmade bags, preserves and pickles.
Sue said she was very grateful to Kelly Eckel, who allowed the group to sell their products at the Woodbridge Post Office where they “sold like hot cakes.”
Sue’s bags, made out of repurposed materials such as blankets, belts and shoe leather, proved very popular.
WCA Treasurer and Sue’s husband Peter Leschen said Beautify Woodbridge was able to raise enough funds to commission Evie’s sculpture with leftover money besides.
The sculpture has been installed on a mound where it can be seen from any angle in the park.
