Kimbolton Sculpture Festival 2027 Artist Registration

Calling all artists! Registrations are now OPEN for the 2027 Kimbolton Art Exhibition!

We invite local and regional artists to be part of the 2027 Kimbolton Sculpture Festival Art Exhibition — a celebration of creativity, talent and the many ways artists interpret the world around them.

The Art Exhibition is a popular highlight of the festival, bringing together a diverse collection of work from passionate emerging artists through to established professionals.

🎨 Artists, we’d love to see your work! Whether your creative passion is painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, digital art, mixed media, textiles, embroidery, weaving, felting, macramé, batik or another visual art form, we encourage you to take the leap from spectator to participant and share your work with festival visitors.

We particularly welcome artwork that reflects the spirit of the land, its people, landscapes, flora and fauna, and the deep connections that shape rural life.

✨ Share your talent.
🌿 Celebrate the spirit of our rural community.
🤝 Connect with fellow artists.
🖼️ And you could even sell your artwork!

The exhibition celebrates the land, people, landscapes, flora and fauna, and the deep connections that shape rural life, bringing together a wonderful mix of emerging, passionate and established artists.

Who can apply?

Applications are open to:

• Emerging and established artists

• Local and regional artists and creatives, with preference potentially given to local artists

• Artists working across a broad range of 2D and handcrafted media

Please note: Inclusion in the exhibition is not automatic. All applications will be considered and selected by the organising committee. Selected artists will then be invited to provide details of their final artwork.

Our new registration portal

We've introduced a new online registration portal to make entering the exhibition easier than ever.

You can:

• Save your registration and return to it later

• Enter and update your details before submitting

• Have your contact information automatically filled in

• Manage your registration from your computer, tablet or phone

There's no need to complete everything in one sitting.

Be part of the 2027 festival

Don't just come along and admire the creativity — be part of it.

Register through the Kimbolton Sculpture Festival website www.ruralart.nz and take this opportunity to showcase your artistic talent, connect with other artists and share your work with thousands of festival visitors.

🎨We look forward to seeing your creativity at Kimbolton in 2027!

Please note: Registrations close 1st March 2027

Kimbolton Sculpture Festival 2027 Sculptor Registration

Sculptor and Sculpture Registrations Are Now Open!

Have you started creating your next sculpture for the 2027 Kimbolton Sculpture Festival?

Perhaps you already have an idea taking shape, or maybe you're still wondering what you could create. Either way, now is the time to head to the workshop and turn that idea into reality.

With just over six months until the festival, there’s plenty of time to create something special, and perhaps take home a share of the prize pool of up to $5,000.

Have a go!

The Kimbolton Sculpture Festival is all about having a go, using what you have and seeing what you can create.

You don't need to be a professional sculptor. You simply need an idea, some imagination and the enthusiasm to give it a try. You might be surprised at what you can create from materials that have been sitting around the farm or workshop.

And most importantly, have some fun along the way!

What should I make?

We're looking for creative and original sculptures that demonstrate skill, imagination and inventiveness.

Our specialty is “farm art”, sculptures that capture the character of New Zealand's rural landscape and farming life.

Think about the wildlife, native flora, scenery, machinery, characters and stories that make up rural New Zealand.

What should I make it from?

For most awards, sculptures should be made predominantly from recycled natural or manufactured materials, particularly materials associated with farming and rural life.

Old machinery, tools, implements and farm equipment are all fair game.

Give something old a new life. Transform the unexpected. Create something original from what you have around you.

Have an idea that doesn't fit the farm-art theme? The NZ Rural Sculpture Open Award gives you the freedom to explore your own ideas using any materials.

Watch the video below to see how Sophie made her prizewinning sculpture from number 8 wire, galvanized pipe and used roofing iron.

Our new registration portal:

We've also introduced a new online registration portal to make entering your sculpture easier.

The new system allows you to:

• Save your registration and come back to it later

• Enter and update your details before submitting

• Have your contact information automatically filled in

• Easily register multiple sculptures

• Manage your entries online from your computer, tablet or phone

So there's no need to complete everything in one sitting.

Ready to give it a go?

Register your interest and secure your place in the 2027 Kimbolton Sculpture Festival.

Start creating. Start imagining. Start building.

Your next sculpture could be the one everyone remembers.

www.ruralart.nz/sculptors

Please note: Registrations close 25 March 2027

P.S. Please forward this email on to any other sculptor you think may be interested in entering the awards.

2027 Stallholder site registrations

Exciting News!

Stallholder site registrations for the 2027 festival are now open.

Stallholders who wish to register for the 2027 festival should submit their application through our website.

www.ruralart.nz

Please note: Registrations close 15 November 2026

Kimbolton Sculpture Festival 2027

Saturday 3 April 2027

2025 People's Choice Award. Todd Harris. Hercules

Mark your calendar now, the Kimbolton Sculpture Festival returns on 3 April 2027, promising another unforgettable celebration of rural creativity, community, and craftsmanship.

If you’ve joined us before, you’ll know what makes this day special. If you haven’t, you’re in for something truly memorable.

Expect a vibrant showcase of original rural sculptures and art, alongside inspiring competition entries, engaging children’s activities, quality craft stalls, delicious country fare, live music, interactive experiences, and entertainment throughout the day. It’s a genuine country festival atmosphere, a full, lively programme that will fill your day and keep the whole family smiling.

Meanwhile, the kids can dive into the famous wool pit, enjoy a rural trailer ride, get creative with hands-on activities, explore the imaginative playground, test their skills in the digger challenge, and take on Crazy Joe’s legendary hay slide.

Behind the scenes, planning is already underway to ensure 2027 is our best festival yet.

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Calling All Sculptors

With just over twelve months to go, now is the perfect time to begin creating your next show-stopping piece.

Whether you are an experienced sculptor or considering entering for the first time, this is your moment to transform that idea into an awe-inspiring work that captures the spirit of rural Aotearoa.

Visit our website to explore the Sculpture Award categories and decide where your project fits best. Explore the NZ Rural Sculpture Awards here:

Sculptors Competition Registration — RuralArt

Need inspiration? Watch our feature video showcasing how Pam and Terry bring their sculptures to life, a wonderful insight into the creative journey behind rural art.

And please, share this post with any sculptor you know who may be interested in entering. Great art grows through great connections.

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Become a Festival Sponsor

The Kimbolton Sculpture Festival thrives because of the generous support of businesses and individuals who believe in rural art and community events.

The 2027 festival will mark the sixth iteration of the event since 2018, and we are committed to its continued presence in the future.

If you know someone who would like to sponsor an award, whether through cash support or product contribution, we would love to hear from them.

Learn more about becoming a sponsor here:
Become a Sponsor of the Kimbolton Sculpture Awards - Rural Art NZ — RuralArt — RuralArt

We look forward to welcoming you to Kimbolton on 3 April 2027 for a day of creativity, community spirit, and country hospitality.

See you there.

2025 Judges

James Wright

James Wright is a New Zealand Sculptor who draws inspiration from his heritage and rural upbringing. His large scale Corten steel sculptures are found throughout NZ in private and public collections.

A raw and natural style gives James’ work a distinct and striking, unique look. Working with the steel’s natural tendencies, James finds forms within the material and draws it out to stand proud in the landscape. Many of James’ artworks have either won or become ‘People’s Choice’ in several of NZ’s leading sculpture exhibitions, his work has featured on television shows such as Grand Designs, Design Junkies and Seven Sharp.

View his website. https://jameswright.co.nz

Margaret Kouvelis

Margaret is a well-loved and well-known dash of colour and courage for her many roles across education, retail, the rural sector and local government.

The Talent Central founder and chief executive and former Manawatū District mayor has dedicated nearly 70 years to education, her community and young people. She's chairperson of the Hilux Rural New Zealand Games, and the Central Energy Trust.

Margaret has been a strong supporter of the Kimbolton Arts & Sculpture Trust from its beginnings and a past judge of the Sculpture Awards.

Sian van Dyke

With almost 20 years curatorial experience working around the motu, Sian van Dyk is the Senior Manager Curatorial and Collections at Te Manawa (Manawatū), and has held  positions at art galleries such as The Dowse Art Museum (Te Awakairangi) and The Sarjeant Gallery Te Whare o Rehua (Whanganui). Working across the visual arts van Dyk  has curated over 80 exhibitions. She has a special interest in the connections people form with craft objects, and how this is translated through contemporary practice, which she has written about internationally. In 2015 she was the recipient of the Creative New Zealand Craft/Object Art Curator to Munich award, which culminated in the exhibition The Language of Things: Meaning and Value in Contemporary Jewellery (2018). This international project included over 100 artists from Europe, the USA, Australia, Asia and Aotearoa.

2025 promotion video

2025 Sculpture Festival coming soon

Calling all Sculptors

Have you begun crafting your next piece for the next Kimbolton Sculpture Festival on the 5th April 2025?

If you're still conceptualizing your next awe-inspiring work, consider this a nudge to transition from thought to action in your workshop.

With just over six months until the festival, starting now on a remarkable creation could enhance your chances of clinching the top prize.

Ensure your spot by registering on our website and seize this exceptional chance!

www.ruralart.nz

P.S. Please share this post on to any other sculptor you think may be interested in entering the awards.

Art exhibition registrations are now open for the 2025 festival

The art exhibition stands out as a highlight among the festival's attractions. Join us in a celebration of creativity at the 2025 art exhibition. Showcase your artistic talents and interact with fellow artists in a vibrant showcase of diverse artworks.

We encourage you to immerse yourself in the festival. Accept our invitation to make the leap from spectator to participant, actively delving into your artistic interests, whether it be painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, digital art, mixed media, textile arts, embroidery, weaving, felting, macrame, batik, or any other visual art form.

You may also walk away with a sale of your artwork.

Confirm your participation by registering on the Artists Registration Page on the ruralart.nz website

Registrations of interest close 1st March 2025

Don't miss this extraordinary opportunity!

Application for Demonstration sites for the 2025 festival are now open

Do you have a particular craft or talent you'd like to share?

The demonstration area is one of the main attractions at the festival. We invite you to showcase your skills and creativity to an appreciative audience.

We're looking for participants to give live demonstrations in blacksmithing, woodworking, sculpture creation, painting, sketching, carving, glassblowing, chainsaw art, weaving, spinning, felting, jewellery making, heritage skills, or any other artistic craft.

Go to our the Demonstration Sites page on the ruralart.nz website for more information

Applications for Stallholder sites for the 2025 festival are now open

Register your interest in obtaining a stallholder site before 15th November by going to the Stallholder Registration page on the ruralart.nz website

Festival countdown

Festival Countdown

5th April 2025 set for the next Kimbolton Sculpture Festival

With two years to the next festival now is the time to start creating something special that will wow the judges.

In the meantime the Kimbolton Arts & Sculpture Trustees will be working hard to improve your experience and features of the festival and on other projects in and around Kimbolton.

If you know of any businesses or individuals who would like to sponsor an award with cash or products please let them know about our festival.

2023 Kimbolton Sculpture Festival Roundup

The 2023 Kimbolton Sculpture Festival is all done and dusted for another year and what a fantastic event it was.

Around 4,500 people from Wellington to Whangarei were wowed by the 104 awesome sculptures, 49 art works, the variety of the 150 craft stalls, the unique farm inspired children’s activities, the local music talent, Palmerston North Boys High School Band parade and Manawatu Pipe Band parade, Mustang car parade, vintage cars, family entertainment and the many varied food outlets.

Regan Cooper’s Terrybull was a well-deserved winner of the NZ Rural Sculpture Award and the People’s Choice Award as well as selling his sculpture at the live auction.

Visitors to the festival decided that they liked the look of 22 sculptures so much, that they purchased them. In addition 11 works of art sold during the day.

The Trust would be keen to see how these sculptures look in their new homes, if the owners would like to share a photo.

2023 Award Winners

The NZ Rural Sculpture Award: $5,000.

Sponsored by Hynds Pipe Systems. 

Winner ‘Terrybull’ by Regan Cooper.

Description - Terry the Bull, charging through the obstacles of the hard times our Rural Farmers struggle with. From floods, finance, drought to  fuel tax farmers get hit with it all.  He stands strong.
Made from Recycled Tyres - another use for them (not just silage pits).

The NZ Rural Sculpture Runner Up: $1000.

Sponsored by Rural and Lifestyle Sales 

Runner Up  ‘Mother of Nature’ by Pam Corpe

The NZ Creative Cocky Sculpture Award: $2000

Sponsored by Central Energy Trust.

Winner ‘Taming the Dog’ by Tony Waugh

Description - I had a black dog, his name was, "Depression". Whenever the black dog made an appearance, I felt empty and life just seemed to slow down, he could surprise me with a visit for no reason or occasion. When the rest of the world seemed to be enjoying life, I could only see it through the black dog.

Just like a real dog, depression needs to be understood, taught new tricks, and ultimately brought to heel. Through knowledge, patience, discipline and humour the worst black dog can be made to heel.

The NZ Creative Cocky Sculpture

The NZ Creative Cocky Sculpture Award Runner Up: $500.

Sponsored by Bromleys Dairy & Pumps 

Runner Up  ‘Heroplane’ by Glenn Murray

The NZ Rural Sculpture Open Award: $2000 

Sponsored by Central Energy Trust

Winner ‘Apollo the Octopus’ by Jasmine Creighton

Description - Apollo the Octopus is made of recycled copper wire from broken machinery. Apollo symbolizes strength and resilience. Like the octopus, we can thrive in challenging environments.

Apollo also illustrates the importance of mental health and connection. Wires are crocheted together forming one whole, representing community support. Farmers face unique challenges that impact mental health, which is why community support is essential. Everyone has a unique perspective, so in coming together to support one another, our voices can be immensely helpful.

Apollo exemplifies how art can convey powerful messages about solidarity. We are never alone in our struggles.

The NZ Rural Sculpture Open Runner Up Award: $500.

Sponsored by My Plumbing depot 

Runner Up  ‘Roaring stag’ by Alan Coleman

The NZ Rural Small Sculpture Award: $1000

Sponsored by Central Energy Trust

Winner ‘Errol’ by David Jensen.

Description - Errol is a bit of a rebel with Yamaha tattoos on his wings to create his own identity.

Errol is a new age owl made from a motorbike fuel tank, hand cut copper leaves, a wooden chest, and steel frame. Many, many hours were taken to carefully craft Errol to the Owl you see here today.

The mix of materials is a reflection on our land and all the materials needed to do our daily grind.

The NZ Rural Small Sculpture Award Runner Up: $500.  

Sponsored by AllanMcNeill

Runner Up ‘The Ennead’ by Greg Tuthilll

The Local Yokel Sculptor Award: $1,000.

Sponsored by Inspirenet

Winner ‘The Big Appe’ by David Jensen

Description - Crisp and sweet, round and plump.

A juicy apple found at once.

Bite it slow, hear the crunch

Juice drips down, a taste of lunch.

Nature's snack, no need to peel.

A snack that's hearty and healthy, a meal that's ideal.

A fiber-filled snack, it's said to be.

A tasty treat, that's healthy for me.

So give it a bite. Every farmer knows an apple a day keeps the doctor away.

Months of chainsaw carving away to get the perfect bite they say.

The Local Yokel Sculptor Awards Runner Up: $500.

Sponsored by Tim McColl Contracting Ltd

Runner Up  ‘In a nutshell, it’s life or death’ by Maggie Duff

Give it a go award: $300

Sponsored by Manawatu Spreaders

Winner ‘Spirited’ by The Wine Barrel Guy

Description - This sculpture is made up of 16 spirit barrel staves, with each one steam bent into a parabolic curve, then arranged opposite each other to form the main body of the sculpture. It then sits on two railway sleepers to complete the sculpture.

Everything except hardware i.e. screws & bolts, the sculpture is totally made from repurposed items.

Manufacturers & Engineers Challenge Award: $500

Sponsored by FIL

Winner ‘ToeKnee the Conie’ Manawatu Traffic Solutions

People’s Choice Award: $1,000

Sponsored by Allpoints Camping NZ

Winner ‘Terrybull’ Regan Cooper

Youth Awards 

Primary School Students Years 1-2: Winner $200.

• Winner ‘Tahi The Tiki’ by Luke Williams

Primary School Students Years 3-5: 1st $200 2nd $100.

• Winner ‘The Old Sparkly Woolshed’ by Amelia Stack

• Runner Up  ‘Hermione The Highland Cow’ by Zoe Williams

Primary School Students Years 6-8: 1st $200 2nd $100.

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