Sculpture by the Sea will return to Cottesloe for its 20th anniversary exhibition this weekend! Running for only 18 days from the 1st until the 18th of March. The exhibition is one of Australia’s largest free public events that attracts over 250,000 visitors to the much-loved WA beach. Staged on the beautiful Cottesloe Beach. The exhibition is featured from the sea wall, all the way along the sand towards North Cottesloe and on the surrounding grassed areas creating a beautiful sculpture park.
Since the first exhibition in 2005, over 1,200 sculptures by more than 500 artists from 44 countries have been viewed by an estimated 3.5 million visitors from across Perth and all over the world. Making it an annual highlight for local art lovers every year!
A highlight of this year’s exhibition is renowned English artist Sean Henry’s iconic sculpture Seated Man. Exhibiting for the first time in Western Australia, Henry is travelling to Perth as this year’s Tourism WA Invited International Artist.
More than 70 artists from 14 countries have been invited to exhibit this year. Respected sculptors from WA and across Australia will be joined by renowned international artists from many countries to share their artistry with locals.
Get involved by voting in Sculpture by the Sea’s People’s Choice Award presented by EY. This award gives visitors the opportunity to vote for their favourite sculpture. With the award recipient receiving $5000.
Sculpture Inside
If you’re looking to further your experience and enjoy some art on the smaller size. You have to check out Sculpture Inside. A free public indoor exhibition that showcases small artwork by Sculpture by the Sea exhibiting artists. Located at Sea View Golf Club in Cottesloe. This exhibition also provides a unique opportunity to purchase sculpture by emerging, mid-career and established Australian and International artists.
This event runs from the 1st until the 17th of March from 9.30am to 5.30pm daily.
Tiny Tots Tours
Want to bring your little ones along to enjoy the art? Tiny Tots Tours encourages toddlers to explore, and fully immerse themselves in the delight of sculpture. This is the perfect activity to allow your toddler to explore the art though their senses and builds cognitive skills along the way!
This free midweek public program is for children pre-primary age and are free to attend. Tours will be held Tuesday the 5th and 12th March, 9.30am – 10.15am. Places are limited to 20 tiny tots (plus carers) so be sure to book your spot.
Artist Talks
If you’re interested in meeting some of the exhibiting artists at this years Sculpture by the Sea, listening to their stories and learning the processes behind their artworks this event is just for you! Artist Talks allow you to sit back and relax on a bean bag along Cottesloe’s iconic shoreline as you take in all the artist has to offer.
These talks will be taking place on opening weekend (2nd, 3rd & 4th of March), middle weekend (9th & 10th of March) and the closing weekend (16th & 17th March), at 11am, 11.30am, midday and 12.30pm.
More information on the artist schedule can be found here.
Lotterywest Access & Inclusion Program
To ensure everyone can enjoy the art of this years Sculpture by the Sea several free of charge events for visitors with disability, aged care residents, marginalised young people and community groups have been set up. Bookings for all are essential, excluding the beach access days.
Beach Access Days
Beach access days (12th, 13th and 14th of March 9.30am to 6.30pm) will include special matting being installed for visitors with limited mobility or using wheelchairs to access the sculpture exhibited on the beach. Visitor service assistants will also be on site to meet and greet, direct and inform visitors, as well as St. John Ambulance resources being on hand.
Tactile tours
Tactile tours for visitors with disabilities will also be available for weekday (5th to 15th of March 10.15am to 11.30am), evening (7th and 14th of March 6pm) and weekend tours (9th of March 10.15am and 11.30am). As well as an Auslan interpreted tactile tour on the13th of March at 10.15am. These tours last for an hour and are available to book via the website.
Aged care tours
In partnership with Lotterywest and Aged Care providers, programs have been set up to allow for community access for aged care residents. This includes transport to the exhibition and a guided tour tailored to participants abilities. Later in the year, a sculpture workshop will be provided to the participants at their aged care providers residence. All tours (5th to 8th of March and 11th to 15th of March) last 40 minutes and are in the morning 10.00am and 11.15am. More information can be found here.
communities program
This exhibition tour program has been developed for people who would not have the opportunity to experience the exhibition and meet with an artist guide, because of their location, the inability to secure transportation and the logistics of visiting the exhibition. Weekday tours will be held at 10.15am and 11.30am from the 5th until the 15th of March. Find out how to book at their website.
youth program
This program, developed in conjunction with marginalised youth organisations, allows disadvantaged young people, who would otherwise not have the opportunity to experience the exhibition to enjoy the sculptures. Later in the year, a series of sculpture workshops that support creative thinking processes will be provided to the participants. If you are interested in organising a tour you can find out how to here.
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Top Image Credit: Jarrad Seng
