Sculptures in the Garden is back for its 15th year and organisers are calling on artists across the country to make this the biggest and boldest exhibition yet.
From 11 – 26 October 2025, the picturesque Rosby Wines property will once again come alive with sculpture, creativity and community spirit, set against the rolling hills and celebrated cellar doors of the Mudgee region.
Organisers are aiming for a record number of artist submissions this year, offering a unique opportunity to exhibit work in one of Australia’s most stunning outdoor sculpture settings – and to be seen by thousands of visitors, collectors and curators.
“Sculptures in the Garden has always been about celebrating art in the landscape,” said exhibition founder and co-owner of Rosby Wines, Kay Norton-Knight. “But in 2025, we’re setting our sights higher than ever before. We want more artists, more visitors and more unforgettable moments.”
This years event welcomes back David Handley AM, founding CEO and artistic director of Sculpture by the Sea, as special guest to the curatorial panel. His involvement underscores Sculptures in the Gardens standing as a leading platform for contemporary sculpture in regional Australia.
Sculptures in the Garden offers artists more than a beautiful backdrop – it provides exposure to an engaged and diverse audience, opportunities for sales and the chance to connect directly with collectors, galleries and peers.
Works exhibited often go on to be acquired for public and private collections, with many artists describing Sculptures in the Garden as a career highlight and a vital springboard for future projects.
Prize categories include four major awards totalling $55,000 – a powerful incentive for artists to participate and an important boost for the acquisition of public art:
- Sculptures in the Garden and Mid-Western Regional Council Prize – $30,000
- Friends of Sculptures in the Garden Prize – $10,000
- Fernside Pastoral Company Prize – $10,000
- Buchanan Mudgee Hospital Prize – $5,000 (for smaller works under 150cm and 30kg)
The 2025 Selection Committee will once again include high-profile names from the arts and design community including:
- David Handley AM, founding CEO and artistic director of Sculpture by the Sea
- Susan Rothwell AM, architect, philanthropist and artist
- Cameron Anderson, Mudgee architect
- Sam Paine, journalist and artist
Many of these acquisitions join permanent public collections such as the Lawson Park Sculpture Walk, Rylstone Riverwalk and Mudgee Hospital, continuing Sculptures in the Gardens’ legacy of enriching regional spaces with contemporary art.
From large-scale installations to intimate, reflective works, Sculptures in the Garden provides a rare and rewarding opportunity for emerging and established sculptors alike. It’s also an excuse to discover all that Mudgee has to offer – whether you come for a weekend, or make a mid-week escape of it.
“The way art is presented at Sculptures in the Garden, nestled between gums and vines, is something really special,” said artist and previous Sculptures in the Garden exhibitor, Peter Lowe (from Canowindra, NSW). “The combination of landscape, community and professional support is superb. It’s a real highlight to exhibit here, and the connections made – both personal and professional – are invaluable.”
Lowe has exhibited at Sculptures in the Garden multiple times and said the setting was part of what brought him back year after year. “This is what regional Australia does so well – bringing people together around culture, place, and of course, good food and wine,” said Lowe.
“It’s rewarding to be part of something that genuinely supports artists while engaging a wider audience with contemporary sculpture. As a central west artist, having access to an event of the calibre of Rosbyʼs Sculptures in the Garden is very motivating.”
Fellow exhibitor, Wootton, NSW-based artist Paul Bacon said the exhibition offered a rewarding opportunity for artists at all stages of their careers. “Sculptures in the Garden is a chance for emerging and established artists to connect with new audiences, fellow sculptors and collectors in a setting that values both art and community, said Bacon.
“For artists such as myself, the opportunity to be part of a public collection through Sculptures in the Garden is a great motivator – it gives our work a legacy and a home where it can be experienced beyond the gallery setting.”
“The prize pool is fantastic. Having the opportunity to take home an accolade and also sell your work to people looking to expand their collection of art is really encouraging,” said Bacon.
Sculptures in the Garden is an annual not-for-profit event that began in 2011. It brings together Australian artists, the local community and visitors in a stunning rural setting in Mudgee, NSW.
The event is a significant cultural and social occasion for the region, contributing to its reputation as a vibrant artistic hub. It supports local charities and public art acquisition, making art accessible to the wider community.
Artist submissions for Sculptures in the Garden are now open and close at midnight on Friday 8 August 2025. For more information and to make a submission, visit: www.sculpturesinthegarden.com.au for details.
Image: Cast the Coracle by Peter Lowe – courtesy of Sculptures in the Garden