CALL TO ARTISTS – Wollombi Valley Sculpture Festival 2026
ENTRIES OPEN 30th March 2026 and close at midnight 3rd May 2026
The Wollombi Valley Sculpture Festival offers an immersive experience where the valley itself becomes the gallery. Held every two years, the festival transforms historic Wollombi Village and beautiful surrounds into a dynamic showcase for contemporary sculpture, inviting visitors to explore scenic vineyards, curated indoor exhibitions, and a vibrant calendar of events.
We invite sculptors to submit sculptures for selection in the 2026 Festival. Wollombi Valley Sculpture Festival is the oldest and one of the largest sculpture exhibitions in rural NSW.
Held over 16 days, from Saturday 12 September to Sunday 27 September 2026, this not-for-profit outdoor and indoor exhibition gives local, regional, interstate and international sculptors an opportunity to exhibit their works in the beautiful rural surroundings of the historic Wollombi Valley.
KEY DATES FOR ARTISTS
30th March – Artist applications open
3rd May – Artist applications close
31st May – Finalists notified
12th September – Opening Night & Prizes
PRIZES IN 2026
The 2026 Wollombi Valley Sculpture Festival is even bigger than in previous years with exciting new prizes.
| PRIZE | AMOUNT |
|---|---|
| Open Prize | $35,000 |
| Highly Commended Prize | $10,000 |
| Small Sculpture Prize | $5,000 |
| London Sculpture Prize, Australia | $5,000 |
| Youth Prize | $500 |
| NEW PRIZES FOR 2026 | AMOUNT |
|---|---|
| Emerging Artist Award | $5,000 |
| Excellence in Mixed Media . | $5,000 |
| Excellence in Metal | $5,000 |
| Excellence in Stone | $5,000 |
| Excellence in Timber | $5,000 |
| People’s Choice Award | $1,000 |
| Local Sculptor Prize | $1,000 |
(All Prizes Non-Acquisitive)
OUR JUDGES IN 2026
Isabel Langtry – Principal, Hampstead School of Art
John McDonald – Art Critic
Jane Watters – Director, S.H. Ervin Gallery, National Trust of Australia
FOLLOW US ON:
For information regarding the above, contact:
curator@sculptureinthevineyards.com.au
Sculptor displayed above: Amanda Lockton. Photo courtesy of Nick Glover.