Small Worlds is a curated exhibition of small-scale sculptures by Northern Rivers, Gold Coast and Scenic Rim artists, celebrating the region’s environment, materials, and local stories. Hosted at the M-Arts Precinct – 105 Wollumbin Street, Murwillumbah NSW, the exhibition will showcase works that respond to place on an intimate scale while serving as a developmental platform for larger outdoor sculptures in future public art projects.

This inaugural exhibition will explore how artists interpret the local environment and stories through small-scale sculptural forms. Works may reference natural materials, found objects, local narratives, or site-specific textures, reflecting both ecological and emotional landscapes.

There will be a prize of $2,500 for the winning artist and a $500 promotional photographic package prize for the runner-up. Artwork sales will be facilitated by the committee to connect the artist directly with the buyer, and no commission will be charged.

Small Worlds exhibition 20 June - 4 July 2026

The project aims to:

• support local artists to refine ideas and techniques for public sculpture.

• engage audiences in stories of place, sustainability, and creativity.

The exhibition will run for two weeks and feature selected artists through an open call process. Public engagement will include artist talks, a creative workshop, and a digital catalogue.

Key dates

• Call for entries | 16 February 2026

• Entries close | Sunday 5 April 2026 - 12 midnight

• Selected artists notified | Monday 20 April 2026

• Artwork delivery to M-Arts Precinct | Wednesday 17 - Thursday 18 June 2026 by 5pm

• Exhibition opening and prize announcements at M-Arts Precinct | Friday 19 June 2026

  • LAVA Arts Festival | 26-28 June

• Exhibition close | 4 July 2026

• All artworks pick-up | Sunday 5-6 July 2026

Artist criteria and selection

• Present an innovative small-scale sculpture exhibition rooted in local storytelling.

• Provide professional exhibition experience for emerging and mid-career artists.

• Encourage experimentation with materials and concepts suited to public art.

• Foster deeper audience engagement with local creative practices.

The selection committee will assess submissions based on:

• conceptual strength and originality

• relevance to site-specific local environments and a storytelling theme

• quality of craftsmanship and presentation

• potential for future development into outdoor or public-scale work

• safety and suitability for indoor display

A $30 fee applies for each artwork submitted.