Spier Light Art is inviting submissions for its eighth edition, set to take place in Stellenbosch in early 2026. Artists, designers, collectives and students working with light in innovative, meaningful ways are encouraged to apply.
For the past seven years, Spier Wine Farm has transformed into an open-air gallery of light, sound and movement. Each year, over 13,000 visitors explore installations across the farm’s landscapes, vineyards and historic buildings. The event has become known for blending artistic experimentation with a warm, accessible atmosphere, drawing in everyone from art collectors and wine lovers to families and first-time visitors.
Under the curatorial guidance of Jay Pather and Vaughn Sadie, Spier Light Art 2026 is looking for works that use light as a medium for storytelling, expression, and transformation. Artists are encouraged to consider how light can carry emotion, spark conversation, or respond to the space it inhabits.
This is not a call for decorative lighting. The curatorial team is interested in works that:
- Engage with contemporary South African issues
- Evoke emotion or curiosity
- Encourage public interaction or participation
- Reflect resilience, enchantment or exuberance
- Explore the relationship between technology, nature and place
Light can be sculptural, digital, interactive or performative. Proposals may include:
- Site-specific installations
- Sculptures or structures
- Video or projection-based works
- Digital or data-driven experiments
- Participatory or performance-led pieces
The work should respond meaningfully to the outdoor setting and farm environment. Think about how your piece might interact with landscape, heritage, community, or the passage of time.
Support and Funding
Spier Arts Trust offers full or partial funding for selected works. They understand that ambitious concepts require resources to bring them to life, and they’re committed to supporting artists through the production process.
Key Dates and Info Sessions
- Online Briefing: Tuesday, 17 June 2025 at 16:00
- On-site Briefing at Spier: Saturday, 5 July 2025 at 10:30. RSVP to attend at spierlightart@lightplace.org
How to Apply
Submissions close on 21 July 2025.
For full details on submission guidelines and technical requirements, visit www.spierlightart.co.za. Or email: spierlightart@lightplace.org
