One of the most popular art events in regional Australia, Sculptures in the Garden (SIG), returns to Mudgee for the 16th year in October 2026, with a major new public interactive art event unveiled plus its largest number of entries to date bringing hundreds of artworks and established and emerging artists from across Australia.
Tickets are now online and include access for visitors to participate in the exciting new event – ‘My Kingdom for a Horse’ – a hands-on community sculpture experience where visitors will help build a growing herd of life-sized horse sculptures alongside professional artists across the 16 days of the event.
An increase in prize-money to over $60,000 has seen record entries from 160 artists, from 6 Australian States and Territories, with one in five submitting artists being new to SIG. The 16-day exhibition and festival program, from 10 – 25 October, will host more than 300 artworks from local, regional and interstate artists at the spectacular landscapes of Rosby vineyard gardens and gallery.
The lineup of finalist major artists exhibiting this year includes Barbara Licha (Sydney, NSW), Michael Vaynman (Central Coast, NSW), Mela Cooke (Brisbane, QLD), Paul Bacon (Sydney, NSW), Maksim Kuznetcov (Avoca, NSW), Bridget Whitehead (Newcastle, NSW) and Stephen King (Walcha, NSW).
A highlight of the event is Opening Night on Friday, 9 October featuring the artists in attendance with entertainment, art and celebrations at Rosby Wines and Gallery on the eve of the public opening. Becoming a ‘Friend of SIG’ ensures an invitation to mingle with artists and be the first to preview the exhibition, with every membership supporting the Friends of SIG Acquisition Prize, placing a permanent work in the prestigious Mudgee region’s public art collection.
Special Guest and head of the judges panel, Orange Regional Gallery Curator Bradley Hammond will lead a sculpture walk after he officially opens the festival on Saturday, 10 October at 11am. The public opening launches two weeks of creativity, connection and celebration. The program includes live music, a SIG for Kids CARNIVAL-themed exhibition, artists demonstrations, workshops and hosted tours, as well as the ever-growing herd of horses created with festival visitors for the new My Kingdom for a Horse display. Built from nature, this evolving installation will eventually see the artworks distributed throughout the region, creating a lasting legacy for the festival.
A special event, Pick Up Sticks, invites volunteers to help collect natural materials that will be transformed into the My Kingdom for a Horse artworks. Interested participants can join at the Vineyard on Sunday, September 13 from 1pm for this hands-on community gathering, with refreshments provided in the afternoon. Register here.
As the premier outdoor art showcase in regional Australia, SIG displays both large and small sculpture and artworks for collectors, art lovers and garden enthusiasts so it is a highly anticipated pilgrimage annually. Planning a trip can include other art displays the event has contributed to in the region plus the dozens of cellar door vineyards and food offerings across this renowned region. There is plenty on offer to plan your trip with immersive art, wine and food and boutique accommodation, supported by Mudgee Region Tourism.
Sculptures in the Garden is proudly supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW. My Kingdom for a Horse has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Festivals Australia program.
