LOCALS will have to wait one more week to see the extraordinary Skywhale sculptures float over the Grampians after unfavourable weather conditions caused today’s launch to be postponed until May 21.

The Skywhales: Every Heart Sings launch will still take place from Dunkeld Consolidated School next Saturday, with gates opening at 6am and the launch starting at 7am.

Hamilton Gallery artistic director, Joshua White said the decision to postpone was disappointing but necessary.

“It is unfortunate to postpone, however this is the nature of these artworks,” he said.

“They require specific conditions to launch, it is the beauty of these works, we are at the whim of nature.

“I look forward to the 21st and seeing them floating across the mountain range.”

Other Skywhale events are still running this weekend, with internationally renowned artist, Patricia Piccinini, attending the in-conversation brunch alongside locally based zoologist and conservationist, Bill Weatherly, at the Royal Mail Hotel’s Parker Street Project today from 9.30am.

The conversation will be followed by a brunch, with bookings available through The Royal Mail Hotel.

The Art Steps program will also go ahead today from 1.30-3pm at Hamilton Gallery, where children aged eight to 14 years old can participate in a making activity inspired by the Skywhale family.

The Skywhales: Every Heart Sings’ events will continue into next month, with a live and interactive digital excursion planned for Wednesday, June 8, from 10-11am.

The webinar excursion will be open to students across the state so they can learn about the key concepts that underpin Ms Piccinini’s work, such as care, community, sustainability, and our responsibility and relationship to nature.

For more information and to book, visit nga.gov.au/learn/student-programs/skywhales-every-heart-sings