Mr Black is a candidate in the Dubbo Regional Council election for the south ward.

His proposal is for an open-air sculpture exhibition at the Dubbo Regional Botanic Gardens as part of the 2022 DREAM Festival.

The DREAM Festival was taken over by council in June because it had become too large for the volunteer committee to continue to coordinate. However, due to COVID-19, it was unable to go ahead this year.

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"The arts and culture sector has taken a massive hit during COVID with the cancellation of many shows and exhibitions, including the last two DREAM festivals. Anything the new council can do to support this area of our community will be important to its revitalisation as we get back to some level of normality," Mr Black said.

The council candidate said he wants to see Dubbo as the most arts-friendly town in Western NSW.

"The Dubbo region has some world-leading sculpturists and many other talented artists who we could showcase. The success of the Animals on Bikes paddock art sculpture trail from Dubbo zoo to Molong shows what a popular form of art sculpture is. Guest artists could be invited to exhibit, with their pieces available for purchase by patrons of the arts," Mr Black said.

"I see this being another string to the bow of the DREAM Festival. Inspiring sculptures set in the wonderful Dubbo Botanic Gardens in springtime as an open-air art gallery - sounds fantastic - and people I've spoken to about the idea are very positive."

Mr Black said the sculptures would be an exhibit, not a competition, but he envisaged a People's Choice Award for the public's favourite.

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