LOCAL sculptor and paleontologist Paul Stumkat has unveiled his water dragon sandstone sculpture at the Lake Wyaralong Sculpture Festival.

Mr Stumkat was selected among a handful of local and international artists as a master sculptor for the two-week event hosted by the Beaudesert and District Community Arts Projects group.

He said he hoped Southern Downs Regional Council would adopt a similar approach to the promotion of local artists.

"It's a great thing and hopefully it will make our council a bit jealous that we no longer have a symposium in Warwick," Mr Stumkat said.

"There had been moves to have a sculpture festival in Stanthorpe but that hasn't gone ahead.

"If we don't keep up with the times we'll be left behind and so far Beaudesert is one up on Southern Downs Council."

Sponsored by Gosford Quarries, Mr Stumkat has laboured to transform a two and a half tonne block of 230 million year old sandstone into a water dragon skull.

As a palaeontologist, he said the work drew on the study of bones to demonstrate the link between ancient dinosaurs and modern reptiles.

"My sculpture is about to be installed on Sunday."

"It looks a bit like a dinosaur as it's the skull of a water dragon - that's how I've interpreted it by connecting this ancient piece of stone with an ancient creature that is still alive today.

"It's always very hard work carving in stone being such a hard and durable material.

"We've been pretty well looked after here by BADCAP and it's great to have a connection with the local community when they appreciate the work we do and the lasting commitment to public art here."

The Lake Wyaralong Sculpture Festival will conclude this Sunday but the sculptures will remain as permanent public artworks around the lake.

For more information on the festival phone 5541 4569.