The South West Rocks Community Art Gallery, Rotary SWR & Macleay Valley Coast are thrilled to announce the first annual Sculpture Prize 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.

Artists from all over Australia are encouraged to register to exhibit in Sculptures Rock.

REGISTER NOW

This new addition to the South West Rocks Community Art Gallery calendar 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, will now be 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. It is envisaged that it will be even more popular in the new location.

The Small Sculptures will be exhibited within the South West Rocks Community Art Gallery and in the Gallery Shed (a workshop space beside the Gallery).

Sculptures Rock will run for 3 weeks and 3 weekends from Monday 16th December 2024 (set up day) through to Sunday 5th January 2025 (take down day). The December Members Exhibition of artwork will also be running, during this time, so it is looking to be a very exciting time for South West Rocks and the Maritime Precinct.

Sculptures Rock is a collaboration between the South West Rocks Community Art Gallery, Rotary SWR and Macleay Valley Coast and offers a prize pool of $16,000.

Registration must be received by 5pm Friday 12th December 2024.

Prize categories

• Large Outdoor Prize- (must be larger than 80cm in any direction and be for outdoor display) $6,500

• Large Outdoor Highly Commended - $500

• Small Prize (no larger than 80cm in any direction) - $6,500

• Small Highly Commended - $500

• People’s Choice - $2000

All prizes are non-acquisitive.

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 within the South West Rocks Community Art Gallery and in the Gallery Shed. 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 2024. Work must not have previously won a sculpture prize.

Entry fee

$25 per entry.

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 2024 are open now. Go to Sculptures Rock to register your interest.

Registrations must be received by 5pm Friday 12th December 2024.

Delivery of sculptures Monday 16th December 2024 (unless prior arrangement with the Sculptures Rock organising committee has been arranged).

Judging of prizes will be on Tuesday 17th December 2024 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 on the afternoon of Tuesday 17th December 2024 at the Grand Opening. This will take place in the grounds of the Maritime Precinct.

A Grand Opening will take place on Saturday 21st December 2024 starting at 1pm.

Collection of unsold sculptures is to take place on Sunday 5th 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. A committee of judges consisting of representatives of the organisers and major sponsors will deliberate and select the winners.

2. The judges will decide the winners and highly commended recipients of Sculptures Rock 2024 on Tuesday 17th December 2024 and the winners will be announced on Tuesday 17th December 2024 at the Grand Opening. Winners will also be published on swrcag.com.au

3. The people’s choice prize will be announced at the conclusion of the exhibition.