Spring Sculpture Prize 2026
Since its inception in 2006, the Spring Sculpture Prize has been a key event in the Central Victorian artistic calendar. Featuring up to $8,000 worth of prizes, independent judges with professional arts expertise and a three-week exhibition, the exhibition is beloved by artists & visitors alike.
The Spring Sculpture Prize Opening will be held from 2pm on Saturday 10th October, featuring live music, food and the lot19 bar. The exhibition is open from 11 – 5pm, Saturdays and Sundays until October 25th.
Entries for the 2026 SSP close on 26 September.
We’ve officially locked in musicians and judges for the 2026 Spring Sculpture Prize.
For judges we have Linda Sproul, Leslie Gurusinghe, and Dr Bill Sampson.
Bill Sampson is an artist and educator who taught life drawing and Critical and Theoretical Studies at the VCA. A former VCA Drawing student, Bill received the Keith & Elisabeth Murdoch Travelling Scholarship to study at the Slade in London before completing a PhD at the University of Melbourne in 2007.
Linda Sproul brings extensive experience in exhibition development and audience engagement, including work with Melbourne Museum. Linda has also held directing roles with the Castlemaine State Festival and worked with Arena Theatre Company across arts and cultural projects.
Leslie Gurusinghe combines a legal background with experience across the arts and festival sector. Leslie’s work has included arts festivals such as Melbourne Fringe and the Human Rights Arts and Film Festival, and work with the Hellenic Museum. Leslie is currently CEO of the Castlemaine Art Museum.
For music Pickles and Ross will perform.
Artists can submit their work via the following link:
Lot19 2025 Creation Prize Winner
Paper Clay & Thread by Ann Ferguson
SSP25 Prize Winners
Ann Ferguson / Paper Clay and Thread
The Mill Castlemaine Prize 1 – $250
John Arnold / Gothic Gumart
The Mill Castlemaine Prize 2 – $250
Jody Galvin / RARE Psychedelic Wire Fish
The Mill Castlemaine Prize 3 – $250
Jonathon Lane / King Island Emu
The Mill Castlemaine Prize 4 – $250
Yvette Haller / Whispering Gums
The Ron Anstey Prize – $750
Jennifer Leggett / Horse Head
Cameron Robbins / Earth Conjunction
Shedshaker Brewing – $250
Gerry McDonald / Upcycled Fishing Trawler
The Salvage Yard 1 – $400
Phil Jopson / Walker
The Salvage Yard 2 – $100
Eleve Telford / Bacat – Youth
The Bridge Hotel – $400
Grace Brown / Happy Valley
Theatre Royal Castlemaine – $200
Peter Hill / Quenching a Schoolyard Thirst
Tom Chippindall – $200
ZouZou Swaffer / Pomegranite with Pomegranite – Youth
Art Supplies Castlemaine – $250
Jon Eisman / Through the Ocean of Dreams
Boomtown Wine – 3 x wine
Bethia Lord / Pear Shaped
Boomtown Wine – 3 x wine
Liz Telford / Gray Areas
Chloe Gunn Memorial Prize – $500
Brija Davis / Rock Bottoms
All the under 16s
