Spokesman Jason Waterhouse said he was proud to be part of the Glenlyon community and its support for the arts.

"The committee have been an enthusiastic and hard working bunch and the greater community have shown nothing but support," he said.

Mr Waterhouse said that although sculpture show judge Ballarat Art Gallery director Gordon Morrison was unable to attend the opening he hoped the event would be repeated next year.

"He conveyed to me that sculptors would be the first to tell you, that they are the hardest done by of all artists.

"They have the fewest changes to exhibit their works and sculpture prizes are thin on the ground."

Ken Scholes was the winner of the $1000 first prize for his work Iraq and Steve Futo's Escape Pod won the Lake House Encouragement Award of $740.

Peter Butterworth won the chance to stage a free exhibition at Hepburn Springs' Chameleon Gallery.

Mr Scholes, a screen printer and painter based in Kyneton, said Iraq was his first entry in a sculpture show and a chance to "get away from that flat plain".

His inspiration came from "that whole destruction of their history - all of those images".

"I wanted to do it in a way that's not offensive and, from the response, most people understood.

"I am dead against the whole thing. Unwinnable wars - we can't have them, we can't afford them."

Among honourable mentions were Julie Collins and Derek Johns for their works Ship Of Fools - Capture and Ship Of Fools - Rescue.

Mr Waterhouse said about 250 people turning up for the opening night.

The show is open daily, 10am to 5pm, until November 4.