CALL FOR ARTISTS SUBMISSIONS
SCULPTURES IN THE GARDEN 2026
Sculptures in the Garden will return in 2026 as one of the prominent sculpture exhibitions in rural NSW. This year marks the 16th annual Sculptures in the Garden event, and we are eager to continue providing artists with a platform to exhibit their stunning works alongside both local and interstate artists. Participating artist will also have the chance to win a range of prizes, including acquisition and non-acquisition awards.
PRIZES & AWARDS
THE SIG AND MWRC PRIZE: an acquisitive award of $30,000
The winning entry will be awarded $30,000 and will become part of the Mid-Western Regional Council public art collection. Entries must be suitable for permanent outdoor installation and consideration will be given to safety of the work, transportation and installation requirements, ongoing maintenance and susceptibility to vandalism. Read more HERE and see past winners HERE
FRIENDS OF SIG PRIZE: an acquisitive award of $10,000
The winning entry will be awarded $10,000 and will become part of the Mid-Western Regional Council public art collection. Entries must be suitable for permanent outdoor installation and consideration will be given to safety of the work, transportation and installation requirements, ongoing maintenance and susceptibility to vandalism. Read more HERE and see past winners HERE
FERNSIDE PASTORAL COMPANY PRIZE: an acquisitive award of $10,000
The winning entry will be awarded $10,000 and will become part of the Mid-Western Regional Council public art collection. Entries must be suitable for permanent outdoor installation and consideration will be given to safety of the work, transportation and installation requirements, ongoing maintenance and susceptibility to vandalism. Read more HERE and see past winners HERE
BUCHANAN MUDGEE HOSPITAL SMALL SCULPTURE PRIZE: an acquisitive award of $5,000
The winning entry will be awarded $5,000 and will become part of the Mudgee Hospital public art collection. Entries can be hanging or freestanding, and can be either indoor sculpture of outdoor-suitable peices.
MUDGEE REGION TOURISM SMALL SCULPTURE PRIZE: an non-acquisitive award of $2,000
Sculptures must be 15cm or less in any one direction, with a limit of one entry per artist.
CAA ARTISTIC MERIT PRIZE an non-acquisitive award of $2,000
PEOPLES CHOICE PRIZE: an non-acquisitive award of $500
YOUNG SCULPTOR ACHIEVEMENT PRIZE: an non-acquisitive award of $500
THE SCULPTOR’S SOCIETY SENSORY SCULPTURE PRIZE: an non-acquisitive award of $300
ROSBY GALLERY EXHIBITION: an opportunity to exhibit at the Rosby Gallery in 2028
HIGHLIGHTS
Over 4,000 visitors are expected to visit Sculptures in the Garden 2026
In 2025, over 50% of works from the exhibition were sold
Over $15,000 was raised for the local branch of Guide Dogs NSW/ACT in 2025
The 2025 show earned over $300,000 for our community of artists
ENTRY
Please read the TERMS & CONDITIONS before submitting your entry form, images, artist statement and artist biography via one of the following methods by midnight Friday 31st July 2026.
Online HERE
Email: info@rosby.com.au
TRAVEL ASSISTANCE FOR EXHIBITING ARTISTS
The Sculptures in the Garden Committee have established a ‘Travel Fund’ with the intention of helping a number of successful artists with financial assistance towards travel and installation costs at Sculptures in the Garden 2026, Mudgee NSW. Consideration will be given to, scale and complexity of artwork, cost of transport and installation and the location of Artwork / Artist. Successful applicants will be notified by Monday 31st August. MORE INFO
SELECTION PANEL FOR WORKS & PRIZES
The selection panel will consider all entries and its decision on works accepted will be final. Artists both successful and unsuccessful in their entry will be notified by the end of August. All works must be professionally finished for public exhibition; be the original work of the submitting artist; be available for exhibition and sale throughout the month of October and not previously entered into other exhibitions. Any work that is not fit for exhibition will be knocked back on viewing.
PRICING YOUR WORKS TO SELL
As you prepare your submissions for the upcoming Sculptures in the Garden exhibition, we would like to remind you of the importance of pricing your works to sell. Once the catalogue is published, there will be no discounting of works, so it is crucial that you price your work correctly from the outset. We encourage you to consider the value of your piece and take into account factors such as size, materials, and time taken to create it. By pricing your work appropriately, you will ensure that it is not only displayed at the exhibition but also has the opportunity to find a new home and be enjoyed by art collectors and enthusiasts. READ MORE HERE
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Mid-Western Regional Council acquisition prize & public art brief for artists information HERE
All artists are to read the Sculptures in the Garden WHS document HERE.
IMPORTANT DATES
Submission deadline: Friday 31st July 2026
Selected finalists announced: Friday 14th August 2026
Installation: Selected finalists will be allocated a specific installation date between: 5th - 8th October 2026
Announcement of Major Prizes: Friday 9th October 2026
Announcement of People's Choice Award: Sunday 25th October 2026
Exhibition opens: 10am Saturday 10th October 2026
Exhibition closes: 4pm Sunday 25th October 2026
Removal of works after 4pm 25th October, 10am - 4pm Monday 26th October or by appointment.
If you have any questions regarding the above information please contact me or Amber Norton-Knight on 0414 942 917 sig@rosby.com.au.
We look forward to receiving your entry forms for Sculptures in the Garden 2025
Kay Norton-Knight
Sculptures in the Garden Curator
0428 635 993
