This new addition to the South West Rocks Community Art Gallery calendar is into its 2nd year and offers a fantastic opportunity for artists from the region and across the country to exhibit both Large and Small sculptures.

The Sculpture Prize, previously known as Sculpture in the Gaol, is now held within the grounds of the Maritime Precinct overlooking the stunning beaches of South West Rocks. The event has always been an important one on the regional arts calendar, while supporting increased visitation to the shire. 2024 was a very successful 1st year in the new location and we hope that this year will be no different.

The Small Sculptures are exhibited within the South West Rocks Community Art Gallery.

Sculptures Rock will run for 3 weeks and 3 weekends from Monday 15th December 2025 (set up day) through to Sunday 4th January 2026 (take down day). The December Members' Exhibition of artwork will also be running, during this time which makes for a very exciting exhibition.

Sculptures Rock is a collaboration between the South West Rocks Community Art Gallery and Macleay Valley Coast and offers a prize pool of $13,000.

Registration must be received by 5pm Friday 12th December 2025.

Sculptures Rock Judge 2025 - Simon Mark

After completing post-graduate studies at the College of Fine Arts, Sydney, Simon has exhibited in a number of commercial and regional galleries in NSW, Victoria, Noosa and overseas.

His work is in collections in Europe, Britain and America. His paintings has been included as a finalist in numerous local, state and national competition exhibitions. He has also judged a few.

Simon looks for talent and expression and depth of ideas when looking at artwork. He believes in the importance of entering Art Competitions which foster encouragement and the determination to improve, growing the abilities of the Artist. Simon is both honoured and excited to be asked to judge this years important "Sculptures Rock 2025” competition at South West Rocks.

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 

Conditions of entry

1. All entrants must be a permanent resident of Australia.
2. For the purpose of Sculptures Rock, the Large Outdoor Prize sculpture category is defined as a freestanding, non-site-specific, three-dimensional object larger than 80cm in any direction. Plinths or stands must be supplied by the artist if necessary and sculpture and/or plinth must be sturdy on uneven or sloping ground. All outdoor sculptures must be able to withstand adverse weather conditions such as rain and strong winds and not pose unnecessary risk to the public. Any sculpture deemed unsafe will not be displayed and entry fee will not be refunded.
3. For the purpose of Sculptures Rock, the Small Prize sculpture entry is defined as a freestanding, non-site-specific, three-dimensional object no larger than 80cm in any direction. Small sculptures will be exhibited inside the South West Rocks Community Art Gallery. Plinths will be supplied by the Gallery for this category. There will be a limit to the number of indoor sculptures accepted due to space considerations.
4. All entries must be the original work of the submitting artist and must have been completed within two years prior to December 2025. Work must not have previously won a sculpture prize.

Entry fee

$25 per entry. Youth entries are free.

All applications must be made online via swrcag.com.au

Entry fees contribute towards the cost of staging the prize.

A commission of 20% will be taken on all sales.

Key dates

• Registrations for Sculptures Rock 2025 are open now. Go to Sculptures Rock to register your interest.
• Registrations must be received by 5pm Friday 12th December 2025.
• Delivery of sculptures Sunday 14th December 2025 (unless prior arrangement with the Sculptures Rock organising committee has been arranged).
• Judging of prizes will be on Tuesday 16th December 2025 and will be judged by a panel chosen by the Sculptures Rock organising committee. The decision of the judges will be final.
• Presentation of Prizes will take place at 2pm on Sunday 21st December 2025 following the Gala Day opening event. This will take place in front of the Maritime Precinct.
• A Gala Day opening event will commence at 10am on Sunday 21st December ending with the Prizegiving at 2pm.
• Collection of unsold sculptures is to take place on Sunday 4th January (unless prior arrangement with Sculptures Rock organising committee has been arranged).
• Any uncollected sculptures past this date will collect a $5 per day penalty (unless prior arrangement with Sculptures Rock organising committee has been arranged).
• The Sculptures Rock organising committee reserves the right to cancel or postpone the prize and exhibition, in which case entry fees will be refunded.

Judging process

1. The Judge or Judges will be selected by the Sculptures Rock organising committee.
2. The judges will decide the winners and highly commended recipients of Sculptures Rock 2025 on Tuesday 16th December 2025 and the winners will be announced on Sunday 21st December 2025 at the Gala Day opening event. Winners will also be published on swrcag.com.au
3. 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.

Macleay Valley Coast Arts and Crafts Cottage, South West Rocks Floyd Glass The Visitor Information Centre and Museum, SWR Maritime Precinct The Seabreeze Hotel Estuary Charters, SWR Coles, SWR IGA, SWR Team Spirit

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.