Wielding chisels, hammers, and power tools artists will descend on Rotorua Arts Village Green this month to transform 25 tonnes of stone and logs into works of art.

Seventeen top local and national sculptors have nine days to create pieces of art during the 2016 Sulphur Lakes Sculpture Symposium from November 19 to 27.

The finished pieces will become part of Rotorua's Sulphur Lake Sculpture Trail.

Artists can use all styles: traditional, abstract, contemporary. Their artwork must reflect the theme of ''The Energy Within'' capturing Rotorua's geothermal and cultural environment.

Rotorua Lakes Council community arts adviser and symposium co-ordinator Marc Spijkerbosch said the sculpture symposium was an exciting event for the city.

"This is a thrilling event for the artists and the wider community. Rotorua is very fortunate. There are only a couple of events like this across the country. It's great for the artists and a rare opportunity for locals and tourists to see sculptures being created.

"These artists are seasoned professionals. It's mesmerising to watch them cut down, shape and mould these huge blocks and boulders," Mr Spijkerbosch said.

The artists have the choice to create pieces from Oamaru limestone, Taranaki andesite or macrocarpa logs.

"The artists all work in an open space and we encourage locals and visitors to come down to watch the sculptors work and see the artworks take shape," said Mr Spijkerbosch.

At the end of the nine days, one of the works will be selected for the judges' award and will become a permanent part of the district's public art collection.

Up to a further four pieces could be selected to enhance the new boulevard in Kuirau Park.

All the finished sculptures will be installed along the Sulphur Lakes Sculpture Trail in Government Gardens to form The Energy Within Exhibition.

The pieces will remain on display along the trail until the next sculpture symposium in 2018.

The works would also be for sale at prices set by the artists and any sold from the sculpture trail would be replaced with alternative pieces.

The Sculpture Symposium runs from 8.30am to 4.30pm daily from November 19 to November 27 at the Rotorua Arts Village Green.

For more information go to www.bit.ly/sculptsym.
Artists
Joe Kemp Rotorua Macrocarpa
Peter Edwards Rotorua Andesite
Shannon Wafer Rotorua Oamaru
Trevor Nathan Rotorua Andesite and Steel
Jamie Pickernell Rotorua Andesite + Mac + Steel
Natanahira Te Pona Rotorua Macrocarpa
Rakei Kingi Rotorua Macrocarpa
Jocelyn Pratt Thames Andesite
Nigel Scanlon Waiheke Is. Oamaru + Andesite
Phil Bonham Auckland Andesite + Mac
Rory McDougall Westport Oamaru
Peter Harawira Ohiwa Oamaru
Rex O'Brien Mt Maunganui Andesite
Peter Akurangi Rotorua Oamaru
Anna Korver Taranaki Andesite
Claire Sadler Taranaki Andesite
Oriah Rapley Taranaki Andesite