Citrus sculptures showcase business, community at Griffith's spring festival
The Griffith Spring Festival turns the city centre into a bright gallery of fresh citrus, where more than 60 sculptures are assembled from locally‑grown oranges and grapefruits. Over 100,000 pieces of fruit, supplied by regional growers, become the raw material for these temporary works of art.
Artists build the pieces on wire frames, securing the fruit with elastic bands. The fruit is washed, waxed and polished so it retains its shine under the summer sun. Vito Mancini, vice‑chair of the Griffith and District Citrus Growers Association, explains that the wax not only adds gloss but also locks in moisture, keeping the sculptures from wilting.
Beyond the visual spectacle, the installations echo Griffith’s multicultural fabric. Jone Laweloa crafted a traditional Fijian house entirely from oranges, a nod to his heritage and a reminder of the town’s more than 60 nationalities. He spent a week on the frame and only a few hours attaching the fruit, turning a personal story into a public display.
When the two‑week exhibition ends, the citrus is collected and pressed into juice, completing a cycle that links agriculture, creativity and community spirit. The festival thus celebrates not just the region’s reputation for high‑quality citrus, but also the shared identity and hospitality that define Griffith.