Sculpture garden inaugurated at Verdala Palace

Malta's first permanent Sculpture garden was officially inaugurated by President George Abela at Verdala Palace, with the works of art of 11 contemporary artists. The Sculpture Garden also features four temporary installations by Mcast students and two international artists. 

President George Abela remarked that the project turned out to be more attractive than envisaged with original pathways recreated or uncovered, to lead visitors to the 17 works of art installed in the woods of the Verdala Palace.

“The site now provides a peaceful place where one can rest with benches designed by students based on leaves and produced out of steel. The emphasis of the garden will also be on education apart from serving as a permanent exhibition," President Abela said. 

The gardens and the palace will be open to the public on 9 March.

The works were placed in areas specifically identified by MEPA since the garden is a Natura 2000 site.

The first phase of the garden has installations submitted by Prof. Richard England, Gabriel Caruana, John Grima, Paul Haber, George Muscat, Angelo Agius, Mario Galea, Norbert Francis Attard, Joe Xuereb, Neville Ferry and Dolores Lungaro Mifsud. 

These artists, except for the late Neville Ferry's sculpture which was donated to the President of Malta by the Ferry family, were all paid for their work. 

A children's area has also been created in the form of a life-size checkerboard similar to that used in the board game chess with squares arranged in two alternating colours, black and white, to serve as an inspirational space.

The King, Knight, Rook, Bishop, and Queen pieces have been whitewashed and children will be allowed to express their creativity by painting and drawing on them.

The Sculpture Garden project was proposed by President Abela to MCAST Art and Design Institute about two years ago.