An Unmissable SWELL 2025 Experience | Wednesday 17 September | 4–8 PM | Currumbin Beach
BOOK YOUR TICKETS HERE – Early Bird Available until 27 August
This September, as the sun dips over Currumbin Beach, Gold Coast Open House and SWELL Sculpture Festival 2025 invites you to experience an unforgettable evening where creativity, connection, and coastal charm converge. Join us on a journey through sculpture, story, and the shared spaces we call home.
Join us for a twilight experience that begins with a guided walk through over 80 large-scale sculptures that transform the shoreline into an outdoor gallery. Then step inside the exclusive SWELL Art Party marquee for a relaxed, beachside evening filled with welcome drinks, grazing boards, and a sumptuous paella dinner.
As dusk sets in, the night culminates in a panel discussion: The Power of Place: Where Art, Architecture & Design Meet.
This dynamic discussion features a panel of artists, architects, and designers exploring how creative disciplines influence how we live, work, and connect. From coastal pavilions to public art, the conversation will explore how the built environment—and the stories it holds—shapes our understanding of place.
Meet the Panellists
Shannon Best
A cultural consultant with the Yugambeh Museum and Research Centre, Shannon brings a deep understanding of Indigenous knowledge systems and cultural heritage. His work with local governments integrates Traditional Owner engagement into everything from urban development to climate resilience. Shannon is passionate about creating genuine connections between community projects and Indigenous culture.
Gerard McCormick is a Director at 8LA Landscape Architects, architect, and community builder with a strong focus on active transport, sustainability, and creative wellbeing. He is also the founder of Village Bike, a community workshop promoting bike repair, repurposing, and mental health through hands-on creativity. A long-time contributor to the SWELL Sculpture Festival, Gerard’s work bridges art, landscape, and social impact—demonstrating how public art and design can move communities both physically and emotionally.
Natasha Edwards
Co-Founder and Artistic Director of the SWELL Sculpture Festival, Natasha has shaped the Gold Coast’s public art landscape for over two decades. From the ANZAC Poppies Project to large-scale public installations across Queensland, Natasha is a tireless advocate for connecting people, art, and place. Her passion and curatorial insight have made SWELL an iconic cultural experience.
Architect, author, and media personality, Joe Snell brings both substance and style to this year’s panel. As Director of Studio Snell, Joe’s design work spans architecture, interiors, lighting, and public installations. He’s known for blending creativity with purpose, delivering standout projects in commercial, retail, and event spaces. Joe is also a familiar face on Australian screens—featured as a judge and host on programs like House Rules, Australia’s Best House, and Dream Homes Revealed. Whether writing, building, or broadcasting, Joe is passionate about helping people see design as a tool to enhance everyday life.
This is your chance to walk among extraordinary art, share a sunset meal with like-minded creatives, and hear from some of the most influential voices shaping our built environment today. Let the coastline spark your curiosity. Join us at SWELL 2025 and be part of a story where art, culture, and community meet.
Event Details
When: Wednesday 17 September
Time: 4.00 PM – 8.00 PM
Where: Fringe Pavilion, Wallace Nicoll Park, Currumbin Beach
Cost: $95 + Booking Fee (Early Bird ends Wednesday 27 August). Regular price is $120 + booking fee.
What’s Included:
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4:00 PM: Arrival at Wallace Nicoll Park
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4:10 PM: Guided walk through the SWELL Sculpture Festival
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5:10 PM: Arrival drink and grazing boards in the SWELL Art Party marquee
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6:00 PM: Beachside paella and mingling in a relaxed creative atmosphere
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6:30 PM: Panel discussion: The Power of Place
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8:00 PM: Event concludes
All proceeds support Gold Coast Open House, keeping design, architecture, and urban storytelling open and accessible to all.
Book your tickets now at SWELL 2025
Early Bird ends Wednesday 27 August
