An acclaimed writer will feature in a new programme of talks and workshops to be held alongside an exhibition at a popular attraction.

FORM: The Sculpture Show will return to Sculpture by the Lakes at Pallington, near Dorchester, from April 1 to June 4.

Kicking it all off is a talk on March 30 with Andrew Graham-Dixon, the acclaimed art critic and award-winning arts journalist and broadcaster, best known as the presenter of numerous landmark series on art for the BBC and other networks.

Multi award-winning exhibition FORM: The Sculpture Show will include more than 200 works by more than 35 leading contemporary sculptors to be shown in 26-acres of lakes, rivers, gardens, and woodlands as well as in the expansive gallery spaces.

Alongside new exhibiting artists and new works, FORM 2023 will, for the first time, offer a series of talks and events, including ‘Meet the Artist’ Q&A sessions with exhibiting sculptors, and workshops and demonstrations from the foundry Sculpture Castings.

Mr Graham-Dixon returns to the sculpture park to present his talk Sculpture to See Before You Die, drawing on his career-long expertise to discuss some of the world's most celebrated, influential, and iconic artworks.

Simon Gudgeon, internationally renowned sculptor, and founder of Sculpture by the Lakes, said: “FORM is always a special event, and we are really excited to see it continue to evolve through the relationships we’ve developed with some of the finest contemporary artists in the UK and beyond.

“This year, not only have we curated a collection of sculptures of exceptional quality, but, for the first time, we are also offering an accompanying programme of events to further enrich the experience for visitors and buyers."

The Meet the Artists series will include a talk by exhibiting sculptor Lucianne Lassalle on April 2. Lucianne is known for creating ‘The Angel’, a sculpture given to bereaved families whose loved-one lost their life to Covid whilst working on the NHS frontline during the pandemic.

Carol Peace, whose work is shown and collected all over the UK, Europe, the Far East and United States, will host a talk on Easter Saturday, April 8. Carol will have a solo show ‘Peace at the Retreat’ at Sculpture by the Lakes from April 7 - 30 where you can view her drawings and poems, integral to her practice, alongside her figurative sculptures.

The series of talks continues on May 28 with sculptor Ted Edley, a Dorset-based artist who creates detailed sculpture using steel, copper, brass, aluminium and unusual found objects. 

In addition, there will be a number of talks about casting bronze sculpture from the team at foundry Sculpture Castings.

Entry to The Sculpture Park is ticketed and the price remains £14.50 per person through the duration of the FORM exhibition. Entry to The Makers Yard at Sculpture by the Lakes, which includes The Gallery, The Kitchen café, and artisan shops The Pantry and The Store remains free.

Artists’ talks will be free with entry to The Sculpture Park. Andrew Graham-Dixon’s talk will be a ticketed event – with tickets purchasable in advance when available at gallerybythelakes.co.uk.

See https://www.gallerybythelakes.co.uk/exhibitions/17-form-the-sculpture-show/overview/ for more information, and to book tickets visit https://www.sculpturebythelakes.co.uk/