Batemans Bay’s Sculpture for Clyde expected to be biggest ever with $100k prize money

A south coast town’s annual sculpture competition is returning, however this time with the biggest prize pool yet. See some of this year’s submissions.

A well-known, annual sculpture contest on the NSW south coast which sees hopeful artists competing to have their work permanently placed in town is expected to be the biggest ever this year, with a monetary prize to match.

‘Sculpture for Clyde’ is held in Batemans Bay every May, attracting national and international entries, and is returning to the foreshore with some differences.

Originally, the prize money was $60,000 and while Batemans Bay Chamber of Commerce president, showrunner and judge David Maclachlan acknowledged this was a generous prize, he said the new amount would elevate the status of the competition.

“This year the prize money for the winner will be $100,000,” he said.

“We’ve always wanted a larger prize to bring our competition in line with Bondi’s ‘Sculpture by the Sea’.”

Batemans Bay Chamber of Commerce president and longtime showrunner David Maclachlan.

Mr Maclachlan said the staggering prize pool was possible due to support from Eurobodalla Council and the Batemans Bay business community who sponsor the yearly show.

The festival will run for 10 days on the Batemans Bay foreshore opposite the Bridge Plaza and will feature coastal themed sculptures created by artists from around the world and nation who hope to have their work added to the sculpture walk along Beach Rd, as well as pocketing the hefty prize.

2023's Sculpture for Clyde winner ‘The Weed’.

The sculptures are often made of recycled materials, including steel, wood, wire and plastics, with exhibits judged on their design and coastal feel.

Previous winners have ranged from giant steel whale tales, to a tall and twisted weed.

Along with the major prize pool, Mr Maclachlan said he was expecting this year’s show to draw upwards of 30,000 visitors, the biggest in the festival’s history.

“Last year’s contest drew 26,000 visitors into the Bay, who shopped at our local stores and we saw a genuine boost in our economy,” he said.

Artist George Andric has submitted ‘Ellipsis’ for this year's Sculpture for Clyde.

Artist Gavin Roberts has submitted ‘Protea’ for this year's Sculpture for Clyde.

Due to the economic boost and benefits the festival brings, Eurobodalla Council voted in November 2023 to waive the fees to run the show on the public foreshore this year, covering the $20,000 cost.

Along with the boost to their bank accounts, the winners also see their sculptures permanently erected along Beach Rd.

Artist Barak Zelig has submitted ‘Hidden from Us’ for this year's Sculpture for Clyde.

Artist Greer Taylor has submitted ‘Holding Infinity’ for this year's Sculpture for Clyde.

“We saw sculptors from not just around Australia apply for this year’s competition, but we also saw sculptors from around the world apply,” he said.

Mr Maclachlan claimed Batemans Bay’s sculpture walk was “one of the largest in Australia”, with 16 statues standing along Beach Rd from octopuses to seahorses.

“It’s also a huge tourism draw, because I’m always seeing visitors walk along the water’s edge to stop and take pictures with these world class statues,” he said.

“And as long as we keep holding this contest, the walk is only going to keep getting bigger.”

‘Sculpture for Clyde’ will officially open to the public on May 26 and a winner will be chosen on June 4.

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