Event Information

Lake Light Sculpture returns for its 25th anniversary in 2026, bringing the Lake Jindabyne foreshore to life over the Easter long weekend - Friday 3 to Monday 6 April.

To mark this milestone year, we’re proud to announce our biggest-ever prize pool - $51,000 across the 2026 exhibition - creating more opportunity than ever for artists to be recognised and celebrated (see details below).

The lakefront will once again transform into an open-air gallery of light and creativity, featuring new works, returning favourites, and artists from across the region and beyond. This landmark year will introduce fresh programming and special anniversary highlights celebrating 25 years of art by the lake.

Artist entries have been extended to Friday 6 March.

With the support of our sponsors and community partners, Lake Light Sculpture 2026 will deliver an engaging experience for artists, visitors, and volunteers alike - and we can’t wait to welcome you back to the water.

CONTACT OUR TEAM

Celebrating 25 Years!

For 25 years, Lake Light has brought art, light and people together on the shores of Lake Jindabyne. In 2026, the much-loved alpine event returns for a special anniversary edition over the Easter long weekend.

Lake Jindabyne Foreshore
3–6 April 2026 | Easter Long Weekend

To mark the milestone, we’re proud to announce our biggest-ever prize pool - $51,000 across the 2026 exhibition - alongside expanded programming and new opportunities for artists.

What to expect:

  • Three nights of illuminated sculpture by regional and visiting artists

  • Live music, fireworks and new evening activations

  • Expanded exhibition spaces, including a dedicated Smalls Marquee

  • A relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere set against the Snowy Mountains

  • A celebration of creativity, community and place — marking 25 years of Lake Light

Our full event program will be announced in early March.

award categories

A milestone year calls for something bigger - $51,000 in prizes, new awards, and a 25th anniversary exhibition we can’t wait to share with you all. See details below!

  • The Major Award, proudly supported by Mountainside, will be presented to the artist or collaboration that demonstrates outstanding creativity and technical skill, presenting a work that is site-specific to place in Jindabyne. This award recognises a high level of creative interpretation of the stated subject, supported by a clear artist statement, expression of meaning and overall aesthetic. The judging panel will assess quality of design, technical skill in execution and construction, material selection, precision of finish, and awareness of the site with consideration for all-round viewing.

  • This Illumination Award, proudly supported by Snowy Regional Solar & SolarHUB, recognises the artwork that utilises light, of any kind, to accentuate, enhance or create the artwork’s experience or form for viewers.

  • The People's Choice Award (NIGHT), proudly supported by Thredbo, is determined through a registered voting process by attendees of the Lake Light Sculpture event.

    The People’s Choice Award will be announced on Sunday 5 April.

  • The People's Choice Award (DAY), proudly supported by Oaks Lake Crackenback, is determined through a registered voting process by attendees of the Lake Light Sculpture event.

    The People’s Choice Award will be announced on Sunday 5 April.

  • The Local Artist Award, proudly supported by AirBNB, will be presented to an artist who resides within the Snowy Monaro Regional Council area. This award recognises creative excellence by a local practitioner whose work reflects a strong connection to place, community and regional identity.

  • The Clean Energy Award, proudly supported by Boco Rock, recognises the relevance of the work to the Snowy Mountains and its response to an environmental issue, or the environment itself, expressed through realistic, abstract, expressive, symbolic or decorative means.

  • The Emerging Artist Award, proudly supported by Rebel Penfold-Russell, will be presented to an artist in their first five years of professional practice and in their first year participating in Lake Light Sculpture.

  • The Youth Award, proudly supported by Jindabyne Real Estate & Accommodation, is presented to an artist aged 12–24 years and will be awarded to the youth artist who demonstrates creativity, communicates meaning and uses accomplished techniques of construction.

  • The Waste to Art Award, proudly supported by Perisher Resort & Lean 2 Construction, will be presented to an artist or community group who have completed a sculptural work as a group, responding to the concept of an outdoor installation with creativity and meaning, with a focus on utilising waste materials in the creation of their work.

  • The Secondary School Award, proudly supported by Snowy Hydro, is open to all secondary school entries in the event and will be presented to a school group who have completed a sculptural work as a group, responding to the concept of an outdoor installation with creativity and a meaningful concept.

  • The Primary School Award, proudly supported by Snowy Hydro, is open to all primary school entries in the event and will be presented to a school group who have completed a sculptural work as a group, responding to the concept of an outdoor installation with creativity and a meaningful concept.

  • The Early Childhood Award, proudly by Jindabyne Pharmacy & Snowy Hydro, is open to eligible early childhood entries in the event and will be presented to a group who have completed a sculptural work as a group, responding to the concept of an outdoor installation with creativity and a meaningful concept.

  • The Community Group Award, proudly supported by Man from Snowy River Rodeo, Postman John & Snowy Hydro, will be presented to a community group who have completed a sculptural work as a group, responding to the concept of an outdoor installation with creativity and meaning.

  • The Smalls - Judges Choice Small (Major) Award, proudly supported by Mountain Munchies, recognises outstanding craftsmanship and creativity in small-scale indoor sculpture.

  • The Smalls - People's Choice Award, proudly supported by NewsXpressaward, is determined through a registered voting process by attendees of the Lake Light Sculpture event.

  • The Smalls - Local Artist Award, proudly supported by South East Arts, will be presented to an artist who resides within the Snowy Monaro Regional Council area. This award recognises creative excellence by a local practitioner whose work reflects a strong connection to place, community and regional identity.

2026 Event Judges

We’re delighted to introduce the judging panel for the 2026 exhibition - a group bringing together strong experience in regional arts leadership and contemporary creative practice.

Kate Bradbury
Executive Director of South East Arts and a passionate advocate for regional arts and cultural development. With extensive experience supporting artists and creative communities across regional NSW, Kate brings a deep understanding of how public art can engage communities and strengthen cultural identity.

Andrei Davidoff
A highly respected ceramic artist based in the Snowy Mountains, Andrei is known for his refined pottery and deep understanding of form, surface and material. With decades of experience, he brings a maker’s perspective to the panel, with a strong appreciation for technical skill, originality and the relationship between material and form.

Andy Pye
An Australian artist based in El Dorado, Victoria, Andy Pye is known for his large-scale, expressive landscapes. His work explores the remote and rugged Australian bush, capturing light, atmosphere and presence. Andy is represented by Martin Browne Contemporary in Sydney, and his work is held in private and public collections both nationally and internationally.

Together, the panel brings a wealth of knowledge, creativity and curatorial insight to the judging process, helping celebrate the diverse talent and ideas presented in this year’s exhibition.