Lake Macquarie City Council is calling for expressions of interest from artists to create eco-focused installations at Speers Point Park for this year’s Living Smart Festival.

Council’s cultural services manager, Jacqui Hemsley, said the Living Smart Festival was the ideal platform for a local artist or artists wishing to showcase their work.

“The Living Smart Festival is Lake Macquarie’s largest community event with an environmental focus,” Ms Hemsley said.

“The event attracts more than 20,000 people and has a focus on caring for the natural environment, reducing resource consumption and waste, and protecting our community from environmental hazards.”

Council is calling for artists to submit their ideas for installations based around these themes.

This year’s festival will take place on Saturday, September 23.

“Council is offering two commissions valued at $4000 each,” Ms Hemsley said.

“We’re looking for contemporary and thought-provoking artworks that utilise recycled materials and make a big visual impact.”

Artists from Lake Macquarie, Newcastle, the Hunter and Central Coast are encouraged to submit an expression of interest by noon on Monday, July 31.

“There isn’t a better setting for contemporary regional artists to create site-specific artworks than along the foreshore of Lake Macquarie.

“We encourage artists who experiment with recycled and found objects, to use this as an opportunity to promote their work and the value of the environment.”

An information session for interested applicants will be held at Speers Point Park on Wednesday, July 26, from 5pm to 6pm.