This collection is one of several in Slovenia which arose out of the International Symposiums of Sculptors called Forma viva, an initiative of sculptors Jakob Savinšek and Janez Lenassi. Modelled after a symposium held in St Margharethen (Austria, 1959), the first two symposia were organised in Kostanjevica na Krki (wood) and in Seča near Portorož (stone) in 1961. Later, two other venues were included: Ravne na Koroškem (1964, steel) and Maribor (1967, reinforced concrete). In the course of the four decades this international project of 'live' sculpture in the open-air has involved sculptors from all over the world who have enriched the cultural treasures of Slovenia with around 300 sculptures. In the Portorož gallery in the open air and in the coastal towns over 120 stone sculptures have been installed.

See also Forma Viva Open Air Sculpture Collection, Maribor, Forma Viva Open Air Steel Sculpture Collection, Ravne na Koroškem, Forma Viva Open Air Wood Sculpture Collection, Kostanjevica na Krki