IN 1969 an open air sculpture exhibition in the small village of Aldbourne took the world by storm.

In September Sculpture in a Landscape 1969 – 2020 aims to repeat that success, in the process helping provide an income for five local charities and set up a bursary fund Corsham-based Pound Arts will use to encourage Wiltshire sculptors of the future.

In 1969, 19 prominent sculptors, all men, including Henry Moore, Austin Wright and Hubert Dalwood, were among those with works on display at West Leaze near Aldbourne’

Now thegardens will again play host to an exhibition of contemporary sculpture.

Over 30 leading sculptors from across England and Wales will show work in the landscape and others will show smaller work in a pop up shop and summerhouse gallery. Many are established artists whose work features in major public and private collections. A small number are graduates from 2019 enjoying their first major show.

They include William Pye, now in his 80s, who exhibited in 1969. Many Wiltshire people will known him because he is the designer of the water font installation at Salisbury Cathedral. He will be offering small pieces for sale in the shop and a work dating from the 1960’s for sale in the landscape.

The landscape at West Leaze has hardly altered since 1969; the mown paths follow those shown in the 1969 catalogue, the trees have matured and a chalk hollow has been turned into a pond. Work by several of the 1969 artists will be displayed in the summerhouse gallery.

In 1969 Barbara Hepworth wrote to the exhibition organisers complaining that she hadn’t been invited. Today’s curator Lesley Andrews noted: “Today approximately half of our artists are women.”

Sculpture in the Landscape 1969 – 2020 is the seventh and final exhibition organised by voluntary organisation Friends of the Garden. A key objective of the Friends is to make 3D art accessible to a wider audience. The Friends hope their work can be carried forward through a reserved fund dedicated to a programme of combined bursaries and exhibitions organised through Pound Arts, a Wiltshire based arts charity.

Sculpture in the Landscape 1969 – 2020 takes place at West Leaze, Ogbourne Rd, Aldbourne SN8 2LD from 3 – 27 September 3-27 from 11am – 6pm, closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Five village charities, Aldbourne Scouts, The Junction youth club, the Memorial Hall, the Friends of St Michaels Church and Riding for the Disabled Chilton Foliat, will be running a café serving light lunches, coffees and teas.

Their proceeds will be used to help offset the drop in income this year as they have not been able to hold events because of coronavirus.

Exhibition entry is £7.50 including a catalogue, accompanied under 18s free. Tickets must be pre-booked online at www.friendsofthegarden.org.uk alongside further details.