A model of the sculpture created by artist John Grima.

Eleven contemporary artists will display their works at Verdala Palace to create Malta’s first permanent sculpture garden.

These will be showcased with installations by up-and-coming artists and temporary exhibits by international names.

The concept for Verdala gardens in Rabat was thought up by students from the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology.

Stephen Vella, the college’s art and design director, said the project was essentially an assignment presented by students reading for a BA Hons degree in 3D Design and Interiors, who prepared a scale model of the land around the palace and, within 16 weeks, came up with ideas of how it could be used.

The garden will permanently exhibit works by Richard England, Gabriel Caruana, John Grima, Paul Haber, George Muscat, Angelo Agius, Mario Galea, Norbert Francis Attard, Joe Xuereb and Dolores Lungaro-Mifsud.

On hearing about this initiative, heirs of the late artist Neville Ferry approached the President to donate a work of art from their personal collection for the permanent exhibition.

Heirs of the late artist Neville Ferry approached the President to donate a work of art

Mcast art students will also be among the young artists contributing to the garden with a temporary exhibition of their works on a rotational basis of three months.

An area has also been earmarked for children to paint or draw on whitewashed areas.

The 11 artists have presented scale models of their works for the approval of the committee.

The full-scale sculptures will be completed and installed by the end of the year in areas specifically identified by the planning authority, since it is a Natura 2000 site.