Sculpture by the Sea

SBS is on again in North Walyalup – don’t miss it!

Sculpture by the Sea exhibition is back in its 21^st year with over 70 sculptures. After the 2025 SBS was cancelled due to lack of money, this year the Federal Government donated $1 million – a third of the event’s $2.7 million budget – to make sure it happened again.

What a great place we live in, we’ve had Fringe, Perth Festival and now Sculpture by the Sea in the past month.

The exhibition was officially opened Friday by the assistant Minister for Tourism, the Hon Nita Green at Cottesloe Beach. Other speakers included Kate Chaney, Federal MP for Curtin; Cottesloe’s Mayor, Melissa Harkins; and David Hadley, the Sydney based director of Sculpture by the Sea.

Cottesloe Beach provides the perfect amphitheatre and open-air gallery for the sculptures. A perfect combination of visual art and natural art. You’ll find sculptures under and hanging from the Norfolk Pines, on the grassy areas, on the beach and along the mole.

I haven’t picked my favourite yet. Look out for the Ghost of Van Eileen – remember that American styled late-night diner?

The exhibition features work by 70 artists from Australia, Canada, Denmark, India, Italy, Japan, New Zealand and the USA. With International Women’s Day this weekend, it was heartening to hear that 74% of the exhibitors are women. Each exhibitor will receive $4,500 for exhibiting.

Over 250,000 visitors are expected. Art is the most common language of mankind. The event features beach wheelchair matting and visitor service assistants on select days.

Be sure to head down and meander through the world’s best outdoor gallery at Cottesloe Beach.

Details and Cott CAT Bus

Running from 6-23 March 2026, SBS is free to attend and open daily, making it perfect for a morning walk, a sunset stroll or a weekend outing.Consider public transport and the free Cott Cat bus from Cottesloe Railway Station, operating 10.30am – 6pm daily, a good option as parking is at an absolute premium otherwise.

Words and pics by Jean Hudson @jeansodyssey.

Jean Hudson is our Shipping and Sailing Correspondent and also a regular feature writer, reviewer and photographer here on the Shipping News. You may also like to follow up her informative Places I Love stories, as well as other feature stories and Freo Today photographs, right here.

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