Esperance Sculpture Trail

In September 2022, FORM was approached to investigate the Esperance community’s appetite for and agreement with the vision of a world class sculpture trail. After many months of discussion and visits a project Steering Committee was established to head the project and guide the co-design of the consultation and community engagement process. FORM was officially engaged by the Steering Committee in early 2024 to progress the project.

FORM and the Steering Committee co-designed a Community Engagement Plan to guide the consultation process and established an Aboriginal Advisory Group and an Arts Advisory Groups through open callouts to community for Expressions of Interest (EOI). From mid 2024 to early 2025, as directed by the Community Engagement Plan, FORM has been conducting community engagement and consultation on-site in Esperance.

This plan has involved a broad range of activities including:

• consulting with local stakeholders, including the Mt Burdett Foundation, Esperance Tjaltjraak Native Title Aboriginal Corporation, The Cannery Arts Centre, Esperance Community Arts and the Shire of Esperance
• An artist-in-residence program
• Capacity-building workshops
• Pop-up activations at various Esperance community events
• Presentations at the Esperance Chamber of Commerce and Industry CONVERGE conference
• Organisation and delivery of a Cultural and Creative Forum
• Delivery of an ICIP workshop
• Long form interviews with key stakeholders, business owners, community members, community groups, accommodation providers, environmental groups, and tourism operators.
• Establishment of an online engagement hub, Engagement HQ, which includes information about the project, surveys, idea and story digital boards, and digital newsletters.

Through the combination of face-to-face community engagement and the project’s online presence the Esperance community’s sentiment towards the project has been ascertained and found to be over 94% supportive of a world class sculpture trail.

FORM has been working in Esperance over the last year ,February 2024 - February 2025,conducting community engagement with the goal to assess the sentiment of the community towards a sculptural trail being installed in Esperance. FORM has consulted with local stakeholders, including the Mt Burdett Foundation, Esperance Tjaltraak Native Title Aboriginal Corporation, The Cannery Arts Centre, Esperance Community Arts and the Shire of Esperance, to work towards the creation of a world-class sculpture trail of high-quality, unique installations that respond to the dramatic land and seascape of the Esperance coast. During this community engagement project numerous engagements have occurred which have been informed by the project Steering Committee, Aboriginal Advisory Group and Arts Advisory Group.

Various activities have been undertaken including an artist in residence, capacity building workshop, pop-up engagement activities at various Esperance community events, presentation at the Esperance Chamber of Commerce and Industry CONVERGE conference, a Cultural and Creative Forum and workshop plus long form interviews conducted with key stakeholders, business owners, community members, community groups, accommodation providers, environmental groups, and tourism operators. These activities were supported by an online engagement hub, surveys, idea and story digital boards, and digital newsletters.

Alongside the 506 face-to-face engagements the project also has an online engagement tool (Engagement HQ) which includes information about the project, surveys and opportunities to contribute ideas and share stories relevant to the project. This online tool has resulted in 382 contributions including 65 long surveys, 58 quick polls, 239 quick surveys and 10 ideas shared. The project currently has an online engagement of 22%, well above the industry standard of 12%, as well as achieving the goal amount of 374 sentiment survey results (to be statistically robust based on the population size of Esperance). These contributions have shown the community sentiment towards the project to be favourable, with the below results;

• 94% having a favourable (6% neutral) initial opinion for a sculpture trail to take place in Esperance?
• 97% thinking a sculptural trail would benefit Esperance (3% neutral).
• 91% believing a sculptural trail would have a positive impact on Esperance’s identity and sense of place (9% neutral).
• 91.66% of respondents believe the Esperance Sculpture Trail would attract tourists or visitors to Esperance (6.55% unsure, 1.66% no).

The themes that have presented that could be explored through a sculpture trail are maritime, environmental, people, aboriginal and agricultural. With critical success factors including high quality community engagement, inclusion of local artists, high quality and unique art produced for the project, project to include capacity building, collaboration and mentorship for local artists and finding suitable locations.

Over the past year of engagement with the Esperance community in workshops, one-on-one, and through the various online engagement tools employed, we have a clear understanding of the Esperance community’s aspiration for this project.

1. It is clear that the community supports this project and is keen to see it come to life, if it is done the right way.
2. Accordingly, a successful outcome will be an installation of artwork that involves the community through the project design and planning process, artists and artwork selection process, and involves local artists in some capacity.
3. The artworks themselves will need to embody a strong connection to Esperance as a physical place, and as a community of people. It is clear that the community are hesitant for any ‘outside’ or foreign art or artists to be imposed upon them without this strong connection to and relevance for Esperance.
4. The Esperance community is excited and aspire to be involved in the project as much as possible.

The project is moving from the ‘what if’ stage to the ‘how’ and ‘where’ stage. We want the entire community to be part of this journey and give their input!

As we move into Stage 2 of the Esperance Sculpture Trail we will be working alongside the Esperance community to co-design a Public Art Strategy for the project as well as inform the projects Artist Briefs.

In June to August 2025, the Esperance community will be invited to attend a series of community workshops to inform the next stages of this exciting project. Online surveys and engagement tools will be available alongside the in person sessions. Feedback from these facilitated sessions and online surveys will inform the Public Art Strategy, Artistic Briefs, and subsequently the artworks themselves through a co-designed approach.

These guiding principles underpin the Esperance Sculpture Trail project - these are the rules of how we aim to behave and how the project will be run, informed by community feedback received through the Discover phase of the project.

This is a “living” ongoing process which will flex and change around further feedback from the Esperance community, Esperance Sculpture Trail Inc Association, and Advisory groups.

In summary:

1. Done with, not to
2. Who owns the story, tells the story.
3. The right place
4. Uniquely Esperance
5. Quality
6. Support local

1. Done with, not to

It is clear that the community supports this project and is keen to see it come to life, if it is done the right way. As a result, the Esperance Sculpture Trail will be a community led and co-designed project. The project aims to involves the community through the project design and planning process, artists and artwork selection process, and involves local artists in some capacity. Throughout the Esperance Sculpture Trail the local community will be engaged to give or withhold their consent for the project to proceed to the next stage. This gives the Esperance community the right of Free, Prior and Informed Consent.

‍2. Who owns the story, tells the story

Stories told through the Esperance Sculpture Trail will be voiced by the holders of those stories. This project offers an opportunity to share the history of the region and represent the stories and culture of all of the Esperance community including the area’s Traditional Owners, the Kepa Kurl Wudjari people.

Each installation will have the ability to tell many stories at a time. These could include;

• The story of the artist, their response to the place and theme
• The story of the group or person which may have inspired the artist or theme
• The story of the importance of the location or theme, be it modern industry and residents through to Wudjari stories, culture and connection.

3. The right place

Creating a link between nature and the built environment, with each location designed to be a natural focal point and places of community connection.

Locations chosen for the Esperance Sculpture Trail will connect to the artistic themes whilst balancing existing amenities, land tenure, Nyungar Heritage with minimal environmental impact. The chosen locations will be informed by community input, project advisory groups and FORM, with final decisions by the Incorporated Association.

FORM will ensure an independent environmental impact assessment will be undertaken for each site as well as a review of natural and cultural heritage, alongside consultation with Wudjari people to ensure locations are culturally suitable, and existing heritage is retained.

‍4. Uniquely Esperance

Celebrating local identity and culture by commissioning artwork that reflects the Esperance community’s history and local storytelling, grounding Esperance in its unique heritage. The artistic brief, selection process and mandatory inclusions have been co-designed with community, project advisory groups, FORM and the Incorporated Association.

• Artwork and stories embody a strong connection to Esperance as a physical place, and as a community of people
• It is mandatory for any chosen artists who live outside the area to visit Esperance to meet and talk to the community before any concepts are developed. Thus, ensuring a strong connection to and relevance for Esperance.
• The trail will create artwork that involves the community through the project design and planning process, artists and artwork selection process, and involves local artists in some capacity.

5. Quality

This extends from the quality and calibre of artists engaged, manor and style of community engagement, through to the overall quality of the Esperance Sculpture Trail experience for visitors and locals alike. This aligns with FORM’s on core value of Excellence.

6. Support local

From fabrication to everything downstream, the project has a focus on maximising local benefit. Professional development and capacity building opportunities will exist for the Esperance community alongside local procurement targets for artwork transport, fabrication and installation through to catering and equipment sales.

We believe there is an opportunity for this project to use the power of art and culture to galvanise the Esperance community into action with a common purpose, build capacity and skills within the community, and positively contribute to the area’s identity and sense of place by creating connections between people, culture and the physical environment through the following ways:

1. Celebrating local identity and culture by commissioning artwork that reflects the Esperance community’s history and local storytelling, grounding Esperance in its unique heritage.
2. Showcasing cultural diversity by ensuring artwork chosen for the trail incorporates elements of Aboriginal heritage, immigrant contributions, and other multicultural/First Nations themes that reflect and showcase Esperance’s identity in an inclusive and authentic way.
3. Enhancing emotional connection by ensuring artwork resonates with shared values, fostering pride and attachment to place
4. Creating a link between nature and the built environment, with each location designed to be a natural focal point/meeting place and places of community connection.

The project is an opportunity to tell many stories, the history of the region and the stories and culture of all people, including the area’s Traditional Owners, the Kepa Kurl Wudjari people whose ancestral lands span over 30,000 square kilometres of Southern Western Australia. Part of the community consultation process is to explore what Esperance is, and how this might be visually communicated through a sculpture trail.

Through the community engagement during the DEVELOP phase some themes were brought up numerous times. The initial themes that could be explored through a sculpture trail are maritime, environmental, people, aboriginal and agricultural.

Given the Esperance community’s strong desire to be involved throughout the design, development and delivery of this project, FORM has designed a bespoke project methodology that empowers community throughout each stage.

The below is an indication of how this may look and its difference to a standard public art project, with the final version to be designed and approved with the community.

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A Project Steering Committee was formed to lead the development of the Esperance Sculpture Trail. This has now become the Esperance Sculpture Trail Incorporated Association. This is a local Esperance organisation which takes a leading role in the decision making of the Esperance Sculpture Trail project. This is the best way to become involved in the project. 

The Esperance Sculpture Trail Incorporated Association invites the community to join their organisation to have a hand in the governance and decision making of this exciting project. Contact them via email esperancesculpturetrail@gmail.com or fill in the membership form here to join - ESTI MEMBERSHIP

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ESTI Association Objectives

The Esperance Sculpture Trail Inc. will oversee, investigate and progress delivery of the Esperance Sculpture Trail project, outlined below by working collaboratively with, and/or delegating via MOU, to community groups, arts and cultural organisations, and project delivery partners. Take steps necessary to, subject to community consultation, create a sculpture trail that connects community and visitors with the geography, geology and the unique ancient ecology of the Esperance region; conveys a sense of the continuum of human interaction within the Esperance region, from the first people's to the present; entices people to explore the coastal trail and reflect on the iconic Esperance Coastline whilst interacting with thoughtfully placed public art; inspires the Esperance community; promotes Esperance and attracts visitors through the selection of exceptional works of art; and incorporates interactive sculptures that intrigue, engage, challenge or amuse.

By completing our online surveys! This helps us to continue to hear to desires, opinions and aspirations of the Esperance community. Look in the TOOLS section for the most recent surveys and sculpture location mapping tool to let us know where you think sculptures could be installed in  Esperance and why! 

As we move into the DEFINE stage of the Esperance Sculpture Trail (EST), we will be working alongside the Esperance community to co-design a Public Art Strategy for the EST project, as well as inform the Artist Brief(s).

In July and August 2025, the Esperance community was invited to attend a series of community workshops to inform the next stages of this exciting project. Feedback from these facilitated sessions will inform the Public Art Strategy, Artistic Brief(s), and artworks themselves through a co-designed approach.

These 2 hour facilitated workshops explored community aspirations for the EST project further in the following ways – notably in the following 3 areas:

1. Scale – what is the community’s aspiration as to the scale and prestige of this project? Is the intention for this project to deliver globally significant public art outcomes, or would the community prefer something lower-key and more regionally focused?

2. Locations – does the community have any specific ideas regarding locations for the trail artworks? How big should the trail be? If large, is it intended the trail is travelled by vehicle?

3. Artists – who should have the opportunity to be part of this project? Should the artists be local/national/international? Should the artists be Wudjari people exclusively, or should there be a quota for Wudjari artists as part of the project? If artists are not from the local area, what is the role of local artists in the project?

During the Define phase surveys will also be distributed to the local community for those that cannot make an in-person workshop. These will be available via this website.

For more information on workshop times, locations and registrations, see  HERE.

We understand the importance of environmental impact and conservation, and assure that as the project moves forward, comprehensive environmental, and cultural heritage impact assessments will be conducted for each location, as well as further consultation with the appropriate stakeholders.

FORM Building a State of Creativity Limited (FORM) is an independent, non-profit creative organisation, based in Perth, and working across Western Australia. Our team of 40+ people is dedicated to our mission of developing a vibrant creative economy for the benefit and wellbeing of all Western Australian communities. 

We deliver on our mission through five key strategies: Aboriginal and Islander Partnership; Creative Learning; Cultural Development; Cultural Tourism; and Sector & Community Building. 

We have extensive experience in delivering large-scale installations, festivals and events, high-impact partnerships, and meaningful community engagement, such as Field of Light: Avenue of Honour by Bruce Munro (2018) and Thomas Dambo’s Giants of Mandurah (2022-ongoing). Our work has currency both globally and on a local level, through a regenerative approach. In line with our mission, our projects cultivate cultural vibrancy and lasting social exchange. Our projects are regenerative because they:

1. Shape the future of economies

2. Enrich community life

3. Inspire and empower individuals

4. Create tourism experiences that don’t overwhelm the destination

5. Focus on human outcomes such as social cohesion, community empowerment, capacity building, leadership

We collaborate with communities on co-creating environments where everyone can express and develop views, connect and thrive together. We facilitate relationships among diverse interest groups to enable outcomes that are mutually relevant, authentic and enduring. 

We aim to always to embed self-determination, grounded in cultural awareness and respect, as the basis of our work in all communities, employing best-practice community participation methodology, to ensure that communities are authentically engaged in decisions that affect them. Our staff members are certified by the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) as engagement practitioners.