SWELL Sculpture Festival

The SWELL Sculpture Festival held annually on Currumbin Beach in early September and is now in its seventeenth year. The ten-day festival brings up to 50 works by nationally and internationally renowned artists to a free public exhibition on the beautiful beaches of Australia’s Gold Coast. The event has grown each year and become a major event attracting thousands of visitors.

The festival centers on Currumbin Beach along Pacific Parade, Currumbin. The festival also features master classes, art activities for children, sculpture workshops, and a music stage showcasing the local music scene.

Event Background

The SWELL Sculpture Festival started in 2001 as a way to promote public art and activate open spaces along the Gold Coast. The first festival featured around 30 local and international artists who created temporary sculptures out of diverse materials like steel, wood, paper, and even old surfboards.

It was hailed as a success and sparked an annual tradition that has grown tremendously in size and stature. It now attracts hundreds of submissions from artists all around the world wanting to showcase their sculptures.

Locations have expanded beyond just beaches to parks, gardens and waterways stretching from Main Beach up to Burleigh Heads. Giant, intriguing sculptures now pop up everywhere to the delight of residents and visitors alike.

Today, SWELL is a hugely popular major event on the Gold Coast calendar. During festival month, over 150 awe-inspiring sculptures of all shapes and sizes adorn the coastline. From abstract to whimsical, they generate much discussion and selfie opportunities.