What is Sculptures By The Sea?
Sculptures by the Sea is back in 2020 for yet another year of incredible outdoor art installations. For those that have been living under a rock, Sculptures by the Sea is an unmissable Perth event that offers visitors the chance to witness established national and international artists showcase their work on the shores of Cottesloe beach.
This year, the predictors are forecasting that over 240,000 people will visit the exhibition, so we wanted to put together a guide on what to expect and how to get down to the beach with as least fuss as possible. Because let’s be honest, we all know how hard it is to park around Cottesloe beach at the best of times.
Where are Sculptures by the Sea?
Sculptures by the Sea 2020 will be held in Cottesloe along both the shores of the ocean and on the grassy area close to Marine Parade. Exhibitions will be installed along the entire area giving you and the family the perfect opportunity to explore without too many crowds. Use the map below to help you create your own route.
What dates are Sculptures by the Sea?
The 16th annual Sculptures By The Sea will be held between the 16-23 March 2020.
How can I get to and from Sculptures By the Sea?
Driving
You and the family can opt to drive to this year’s Sculptures by the Sea, but as parking is notorious for being very difficult close to the event we recommend the public transport option.
Public Transport
We’ve teamed up with the Town of Cottesloe to offer you a free shuttle bus. The shuttle will meet every train from Cottesloe train station on the Perth to Fremantle line between 10.30 am to 5.00 pm daily for the duration of the exhibition and will return to the station from Cottesloe beachfront. There will be 4 stops along the way:
- Cottesloe Train Station (along Curtin Avenue)
- North Cottesloe (along Marine Parade)
- Cottesloe Main Beach (along Marine Parade)
- Jarrad Street
This will mean that you won’t have to organise a connecting Transperth bus from the train station and best of all it’s free! The map below also outlines the bus route. Simply head to the stops on the map below, look out for the Horizons West bus, hail it down and jump on board. It’s as easy as that!
We’d also love your help! The team at Horizons West are keen to start offering a shuttle bus for all the summer months (not just during the Sculptures by the Sea Festival). Do you think this would be a service that you would use? Help us generate the buzz we need to make this a reality next year by filling in the form below.
How often does the Horizons West Shuttle Bus run?
There is no set time that the bus will arrive at each stop as it is running on a continuous loop. For the most part, a complete circuit takes about 15 minutes which means that will be about the most you’ll wait before getting picked up.
Where can I eat at Sculptures by the Sea?
There are so many options close to the installations! Below is a list of our favourite restaurants and cafes.
Cottesloe Beach Hotel
- PERFECT FOR: larger groups, cold beers at the end of the day, alfresco dining.
- ADDRESS: 104 Marine Parade, Cottesloe Beach WA 6011
- Click here for the menu.
Il Lido Canteen
- PERFECT FOR: date night, extensive wine menu.
- ADDRESS: 88 Marine Parade Cottesloe Beach WA 6011
- Click here for the menu.
Beaches Cafe
- PERFECT FOR: a quick bite, great coffee and snacks.
- ADDRESS: 122 Marine Parade Cottesloe Beach WA 6011
- Click here for the menu.
Where can I stay at Sculptures by the Sea?
If you are keen to make a night of it so you can witness the epic Western Australian sunset, there are a few hotels we would recommend.
Cottesloe Beach Hotel
Perched in the perfect spot with panoramic views, the recently refurbished Cottesloe Beach Hotel is our pick for the best sunset spot going around.
Executive Escapes
If you are thinking of staying in Cottesloe for a few nights, then this might be your calling. The team at Executive Escapes offer self-contained rooms and short stay properties all at reasonable prices.
What artists are showcasing their sculptures this year?
With over 120 artists locked away for this year’s Sculptures by the Sea, we’ll leave the list to the experts. Head to the Official website for the most up to date list of new and returning artists.
Are there any competitions for visitors in 2020?
For everyone visiting, there is a competition running this year to determine the best photo of the event. Tag your favourite Sculpture by the Sea photos with #sxsmoments (Instagram or Facebook) for the chance to win a Sculpture by the Sea gift pack. The best part is that the winning photo will become the official photograph for next year’s exhibition (a pretty prestigious award if you ask us). Check out last year’s winner below.
Are Sculptures by the sea accessible for people with disabilities?
Absolutely! Each area of the exhibition is complete with ramps and handrails. This year also marks the exciting launch of the very first Tactile Tour. This new initiative, thanks to Lotterywest supports the Access & Inclusion Program.
Visitors with a disability and their friends can sign up to experience each installation up close allowing more time to touch, feel, hear and see the exhibition. The tour is led by experienced DADAA guides! There are already spots filling up quickly so we are recommending booking in so you don’t miss out!
DATES & TIMES:
- Weekdays Monday 9 – Friday 20 March at 10.15 am and 11.30 am
- Auslan interpreted tours on Thursday 19 March
- Evening tours on Thursday 12 and Thursday 19 March at 6 pm
- Saturday 14 March at 10.15 am and 11.30 am
Please contact jacqueline@dadaa.org.au for a booking request form or call on (08) 9430 6616.
Are there any sculpture workshops for school kids and teachers?
YES! Another new initiative launching this year is The Education Program offering unique ‘out of classroom’ learning and sculpture-making workshops. Each program aligns nicely with the school curriculum and they’ve even included professional development events for the teachers so they can learn new skills and apply it in their classrooms. Each program will walk through different materials and processes involved in making sculptures such as clay, wire, plaster, recycled material, paper, and natural materials. For more information and brochures – head here.
And there we have it – everything you need to know about Sculptures by the Sea 2020. We hope you get down to Cottesloe beach to experience one of Perth’s top events for the year. Remember, if you think you’d use a shuttle bus all summer long from Cottesloe Train Station, help us by filling out the form. We appreciate your help and support!