Anthony Nelipa’s The Grander won the Sculpture for Clyde’s acquisitive prize for 2026. Photos: Sculpture for Clyde Facebook.
Creativity has returned to a South Coast foreshore as a much-loved sculpture festival once again gathers crowds.
Sculpture for Clyde comprises outdoor, indoor and student sculpture exhibitions, with entrants competing in various prize categories.
The 2025 event was cancelled amid funding concerns, but committee member Cate McMath told Region the hiatus hadn’t dampened community enthusiasm for the festival.
She said there had been an “incredibly positive” response from visitors and entrants.
“People are loving that it’s back, given that they missed out last year,” she said.
Ms McMath said the artworks were made from a variety of mediums, including bronze, Carrara marble, steel and even old mountain bike tyres.
“There’s some really fun things. … The quality of the work has been excellent,” she said.
“I believe a couple of pieces have sold, or people have been wanting to get in touch with the artists to commission a work from them, as well.”
Megan Waud’s steel and powder-coated aluminium piece, Fan Coral, took home the $10,000 first-place prize.
Nicole O’Regan’s woven steel, pipes and steel sheet entry, The Surfer, and Donald Blaikie’s Ghost Net, made from aluminium, Corten steel and glass, were awarded equal second place, both receiving $2500.
Jonathan Foley claimed $1000 and third place with The Drop, made from hand-sculpted Carrara marble and a recycled granite slab.
But it was Anthony Nelipa’s The Grander which won the $50,000 acquisitive prize.
The artwork will have a permanent home in the Batemans Bay Sculpture Walk.
His piece took him almost a year to complete and is a stainless steel and concrete casting of a 4.7-metre marlin.
Mr Nelipa said it was an honour to win.
“It’s really nice to have your artwork received on such a level and have it there for permanent display in the Bay for many, many moons to come,” he said.
An industrial electrician by trade, he said art had always been a passion.
In 2022 he decided to pursue art full-time, with his works now held in various collections.
He said this year was the second time he’d entered the festival.
“That one was the big one and it took a lot of time and a lot of money. I’m not quite ready to jump into something [again].”
The people’s choice award will be revealed at 2 pm on Saturday (6 June).
Ms McMath said there was stiff competition.
“I’m looking forward to being surprised,” she said.
“From watching the volunteers count the different slips of paper, there does seem to be a real variety in people’s votes.”
She said there were chances for people to get involved – by way of volunteering or through a business offering sponsorship – in next year’s festival.
“It takes a lot of work by the volunteers to host the event, and the support that we get from the community is terrific.”
Sculpture for Clyde 2026 will run until 7 June in Batemans Bay on the NSW Far South Coast.
Follow updates or find out more through the event’s Facebook page or its website. Entry for the public is free.
