This year’s exhibition runs from Tuesday 1 September to Sunday 11 October 2026, transforming Toorak Village into a gallery woven through the shopfront windows of the precinct, complemented by previously acquired large‑scale sculptures positioned along the footpaths. Together, fifty original Australian-made sculptures, create a distinctive experience where art becomes part of the village’s everyday life.

Each artist works closely with local traders to integrate their piece into the visual flow of the shop displays, creating unexpected moments of surprise and creativity for visitors as they explore the village.

A catalogue and map will be available to guide visitors to the artworks. Entry is free, and all sculptures are available for purchase, with prices inclusive of GST.

Founded in 2002 by Ken Scarlett OAM and Xenia Holt, the exhibition was conceived to bring art and business together in a vibrant, community-focused format. Now in its 23rd year, it has supported thousands of Australian sculptors and become a signature cultural event for Toorak Village.

The invited judge for 2026 is Lesley Harding, Artistic Director of Heide Museum of Modern Art and one of Australia’s leading curators of modern and contemporary art. She has curated more than 50 exhibitions and is widely respected for her scholarship, publications and longstanding contribution to Australian visual arts.

This year we welcome Curator, Jane Scott, an experienced arts leader with over 40 years of engagement managing premier Australian cultural institutions and driving national arts policy.

Invited judge, Lesley Harding, will award three non‑acquisitive prizes totalling $15,000, including the $10,000 major prize proudly sponsored by Orchard Piper, presented at a gala opening event in the village.

We are excited to announce a People’s Choice Award for 2026 where voters can go in the running to win a fabulous prize.

Curator Jane Scott – More Information

Jane Scott previously worked as the Director of the Perc Tucker Regional Gallery in Townsville, Horsham Regional Art Gallery, TarraWarra Museum of Art and the Monash Gallery of Art and her career includes high-profile roles as the CEO of Regional Arts Australia, CEO and Artistic Director of Craft Victoria, and Senior Curator of the Access Gallery at the National Gallery of Victoria . Her influence extends from local community projects, such as her lead curatorial and management work on the social impact exhibition Flesh After Fifty, to international diplomacy during her tenure as the Cultural Attaché at the Australian Embassy in Washington DC.

Judge Lesley Harding  – More Information

Lesley Harding is Artistic Director of Heide Museum of Modern Art and one of Australia’s leading curators of modern and contemporary art. She has curated more than 50 exhibitions and is widely respected for her scholarship, publications and longstanding contribution to Australian visual arts.

The Toorak Village Sculpture Exhibition is presented by the Toorak Village Traders Association and the businesses of Toorak Village with the generous support of Orchard Piper.

Sculpture in banner: Bounty by Michelle Merrifield