By the mountain and the sea
Entries Are Now Closed
Artists will be advised in early February if your artwork(s) are accepted.
If you need to change your entry please email David at david@sculpturebermagui.org.au.
View Artist Terms and Conditions
Terence Maloon – New Judge for 2026 event
We are very excited to have Terence Maloon, former Director of the Drill Hall Gallery at ANU as the new judge for the 2026 event.
“A sculpture in the landscape develops a ‘self’,” says Terence Maloon. “It exists in dialogue with its setting — and that can be deeply thrilling.”
With a career spanning art criticism, curation and leadership, he brings decades of experience in art and a passion for sculpture.
Educated at Camberwell School of Arts and Crafts and the University of East Anglia, he lectured in art history before moving to Australia, where he became Senior Art Critic at the Sydney Morning Herald and later Senior Curator at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. There he curated exhibitions on Cézanne, Picasso, Pissarro, and the landmark Path to Abstraction 1867–1917.
He recalls being dismayed at Australia’s neglect of sculpture, until Sculpture by the Sea changed the landscape. “Suddenly, people encountered sculpture outdoors and developed taste through experience. It was transformative.”
When judging, Maloon looks for integrity, presence, and rightness of scale. “It must feel inevitable – as though it could only ever be that way. Materials to some extent don’t matter — steel, stone, wood, clay — what matters is distinctiveness, the work becoming a self that resonates with its place.”
For Maloon, Sculpture Bermagui continues this vital role: connecting audiences, landscapes and artworks in ways that transcend and inculcates a love of art.
Victoria Nelson – Curator
Victoria Nelson is a versatile, experienced artist with major commissions and a deep appreciation of Bermagui’s natural environment.
Victoria is aiming to build on the practical support for exhibitors provided by Sculpture Bermagui, focusing on an easier process for sculptors ‘to exhibit, sell their work and have a fantastic time doing so’ at the annual Bermagui exhibition.
Carolyn Killen – Curator
Carolyn Killen is former proprietor of the Ivy Hill Gallery near Bermagui.
Carolyn has recently brought her expertise in art and sculpture to exhibiting a collection from some of Australia’s best regional artists in Cootamundra.
Selection Criteria
Our Selection Committee will select sculptures from those that have been entered for the exhibition based on the following criteria:
- Original Concept
- Professional standard
- Suitability of Materials
- Readiness for Display
- Suitability for Public Display (OH&S)
Presentation of photographic image(s) is vital for the selection committee to be able to make decisions.
For detailed information on our terms and conditions please see the Exhibiting at Sculpture Bermagui 2026 document.
Need to know
Entries open: Wednesday 5 November 2025
Entries close: Monday 19 January 2026
Notification of selection: By Saturday 31 January 2026
Bump in Indoor starts: Wednesday 4 March 2026
Bump in Outdoor starts: Thursday 5 March 2026
Bump in concludes: Friday 6 March 2026
Judging commences: Friday 6 March 2026
Event open to the public: Saturday 7 March to Sunday 15 March 2026
Awards presentation: Friday 6 March 2026 (invitation only event)
Bump out: Sunday 15 and Monday 16 March 2026
People’s Choice Prize Award Announced: Sunday 15 March 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes all artworks are to be offered for sale at the exhibition.
You can change the price of your artwork up until 31 January 2026 (acceptance of entries) by advising by email to the Curator. After that no changes can be made and in particular no changes can be made to the price of artworks during the exhibition. Works entered and accepted, but sold prior to the exhibition will incur a commission.
Sculpture Bermagui takes a 25% commission on all artworks.
Payment is usually made within 30 days of the close of the exhibition. We aim to make one payment to your nominated bank account for all artworks you have sold (less 25% commission).
The exhibition is open every day from 10am to 5pm (the headland marquee will close at 4pm every day). The exhibition will close at 2pm on the last Sunday to allow time for us to prepare for removal of artworks by buyers and for unsold works by the artist.
Artworks can be removed from 3pm on Sunday 15 March 2026 and Monday 16 March 2026 up until 12 noon.
Yes you will be advised by text message at the end of every day of the exhibition if any of your artworks are sold.
We expect that any artwork that you enter will be complete and a photo of the finished artwork will be provided as part of your entry.
Only in limited circumstances will we accept updated images. No new images will be accepted after 31 January 2026 (acceptance of entries) to allow us to produce the artwork catalogue?
Yes all artists accepted in to the exhibition will be invited to the opening event where the prizes will be awarded. You can also bring your partner or 1 friend. You will receive one free drink card on the night (artists only). Entry to the opening event is by invitation only. Entry is free but you must reserve your tickets. These will be available on the Sculpture Bermagui website from 21 February 2026. You will be advised by email when tickets are available.
A subsidy of transport costs may be offered to selected artists, at the discretion of the Management Committee. If you would like to request this support please indicate this when completing your entry.
Artist resources
To assist in supporting your practice and preparing to exhibit your work, you may find some of this information helpful:
- Create NSW – Applications for Small Project Grants (Quick Response) are open.
- National Association for the Visual Arts – NAVA The National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA) leads advocacy, policy and action for a contemporary Australian arts sector that’s ambitious and fair. NAVA provides information, training, support and help needed to work for yourself in the creative and cultural industries
- South East Arts is the regional arts and cultural development organisation covering the Bega Valley, Eurobodalla and Snowy Monaro council areas. SEA actively support the ongoing development of, and participation in, arts and culture throughout the NSW South East region. South East Arts staff are available to help artists, arts organisations and community groups to apply for arts related grants and to assist in finding funding opportunities. Please contact them for assistance or advice.