The annual part program Sculpture by the Sea has officially opened this morning.

Cottesloe beach was crowded with art admirers of all ages keen to see what was gracing the beach this year.

ABC 720 Perth Drive presenter John McGlue hosted the opening of the exhibition.

“It’s a great time in Perth, it’s a great time in Cottesloe.” he said. “It’s a really important feature on the arts calendar in Perth and in Western Australia.”

Sculpture by the Sea Founding Director David Handley also spoke. “There’s an extraordinary diversity in this year’s show, not just in the works that are on the beach… if you look at the artists in this year’s exhibition who live in Perth or WA, there’s an extraordinary number who are either born overseas or who’s parents are born overseas… Of the Western Australian artists in the show, there are artists either born or their parents are born in the former Yugoslavia, South Kora, Japan, Holland, Canada and Belgium.”

The Hon John Day MLA, Minister for Planning declared the ceremony open, and Town of Cottesloe Mayor Jo Dawkins also spoke.

Norton Flavel and Kim Perrier were named joint winners of the Western Australian Sculptor Scholarship. Flavel was responsible for the enormous wine cask sculpture that was very popular in last year’s exhibition.

Sculpture by the Sea is at Cottesloe Beach until March 23rd.