Art exhibition Lithgow Skulls will showcase its last two week exhibition of creative skulls decorated by local artists.

A total of 55 artists have entered skulls in the exhibit at the Lithgow Library, which will open on Friday, October 12.

Each year skulls have been supplied by local artist Tim Johnman and his wife Sarah, from the State Mine Gully Museum. 

Tim said Springvale Coal Mine provided him with out-of-date mine grout which he used to create raw skulls.

“Through the winter I mix and pour a batch into skull moulds and around this time of year they’re ready to hand out,” he said.

“They get one raw concrete skull and they can do what they want with it, no rules,” he said. 

Secretary for Lithgow Tidy Towns Kathleen Compton said the artists’ willingness to participate was wonderful.

“They don’t get paid to do this, it’s all about getting artistic credit,” she said.

She also said there was lots of diversity shown throughout the works.

“I think the artwork is so imaginative, you sort of think ‘how did they come up with that?’,” she said.

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Ms Compton also said the last couple of years had been quite successful and an iconic experience but it was time for a change. 

“Halloween is growing and I think we need to think about the future,” she said. 

Tim also said he suspected people wanted change.

“It’s been going for five years, we’re trying to put on a good show as well as a fundraiser, but it’s evolved and taken us by surprise,” he said.

“We want to keep Halloween enlivened.”

An auction of the skulls will take place at this years Lithgow Halloween event in the Library at 6.30pm Saturday, October 27.

Funds raised will go back to the Lithgow Tidy Towns Laneways Project.

Ms Compton said it was a great initiative and for all to come along and bid on a skull.

“We expect they will all be sold, especially with the quality of the art work.”

The official opening of the exhibition will commence this Friday, October 12 at 6pm.