The South West Rocks Community Art Gallery & Maritime Precinct are proud to announce the 2026 Sculpture Prize, ‘Sculptures Rock’ to be held in the Gallery and grounds and in the adjoining grounds of the Maritime Precinct. The Gallery is housed in the Pilot House which along with the Maritime Museum, Visitor Information Centre and the Arts & Crafts Cottage make up the heritage listed Maritime Precinct in South West Rocks.
The Sculpture Prize, previously known as Sculpture in the Gaol, is now into its 3rd year at its new location overlooking the stunning beaches of South West Rocks. The event has always been an important one on the regional arts calendar, and we are very happy to be able to carry on the tradition while offering a fantastic opportunity for artists from the region and across the country to exhibit both large and small sculptures.
The Small Sculptures are exhibited within the South West Rocks Community Art Gallery while the large sculptures are placed around the cottages.
Sculptures Rock! will run for 3 weeks and 3 weekends from Monday 14 th December 2026 (set up day) through to Sunday 3rd January 2027 (take down day). The December Members' Exhibition of artworks will also be running during this time, which makes for two very exciting exhibitions.
Prize pool to be announced.
Prize winners 2025
- Large Sculpture Prize - $5,000
Running Water by Glen Star - Large Sculpture Highly Commended - $500
Lovers by Jeramie Scahill - Small Sculpture Prize - $5,000
The Traveller by John Van Der Kolk - Small Sculpture Highly Commended - $500
Precious by Michaela Kloeckner - Youth Sculpture Prize - $400
Nesting Spores by Millicent Searles - Encouragement Award - $50
Strengths in Character by SWR Public School - Encouragement Award - $50
Take Three for the Sea by SWR Public School - People’s Choice - $1000 each
Large Outdoor Sculpture - Calling Elvis by Jason Earnshaw
Small Indoor Sculpture - Majestic Explorer by Chris Turner
Prize winners 2024
- Large Outdoor Prize - $6,500
Gentle Giant by Eric Hull - Large Outdoor Highly Commended - $500
Blinky the Koala by Kane Minogue - Small Prize - $6,500
Cocoon by John Van Der Kolk - Small Highly Commended - $500
Affordable Housing by Pete Gailey - People’s Choice - $2000
War Horse Copper by Sumah Atkinson
Key dates
- Tuesday 8th December 2026– registration must be completed by 5pm.
- Saturday 12th December and Sunday 13th December 2026 – Delivery and installation of Large Outdoor Sculptures to the grounds of the Maritime Precinct SWR between 10am and 4pm.
- Sunday 13th December 2026– Delivery of Small Sculptures to The Gallery Shed between 10am and 4pm.
- Monday 14th December 2025 - Set up day of the Exhibition.
- Sunday 3rd January 2027 – Awards Presentation at 2pm.
- Sunday 3rd January 2027 – Pick up of all unsold Sculptures between 2:30pm and 4pm.
Judging process
- The Judge or Judges will be selected by the Sculptures Rock organising committee.
- The judges will decide the winners and highly commended recipients of Sculptures Rock 2025 on Tuesday 15th December 2026 and the winners will be announced on Sunday 20th December 2026. Winners will also be published on swrcag.com.au
- The people’s choice prize will be announced at the conclusion of the exhibition.
Sponsors
We are grateful for the financial support of the following organisations, who are kindly sponsoring this exhibition.
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Are you a local business which would also like to sponsor this exhibition? We would love to hear from you! Gift vouchers are welcome. Please contact the Gallery on 6533 1063 and one of our Volunteers will pass your message on to the Sculptures Rock Sub-Committee.
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