The call is open: Spier Light Art is looking for artists, designers and collectives to bring fresh light-based and video work to its 2026 edition.
Set on the historic Spier Wine Farm in Stellenbosch, the annual public art event turns the landscape into an after-dark playground of light, video and sound. The next edition – its eighth – runs from March to April 2026.
If you’ve got a concept that plays with light, technology or sound, this might be your moment. Spier Light Art is open to students, pros or collectives. There’s no theme but curators are drawn to work that feels magical, unexpected or socially aware. Think dream-like installations, tech experiments, or pieces that speak to South African life. Work that’s playful, weird, reflective or political. It’s also one of the biggest public platforms around: the 2025 edition pulled over 13 000 people.
Submissions close 21 July 2025, and shortlisted artists may receive full or partial funding to realise their work.
This year’s curators, Jay Pather and Vaughn Sadie, are also hosting two briefing sessions, one online and one on-site. The online session is happening on Tuesday, 17 June 2025 at 16:00, while the in-person walkabout will take place at Spier on Saturday, 5 July at 10:30. RSVP by emailing: spierlightart@lightplace.org.
What they’re looking for
There’s no set brief, but your work should put light at the centre, whether it’s sculptural, interactive, digital, or video-based. It should be engaging, thoughtful and suitable for the outdoors. Pieces that speak to Spier’s working wine farm setting are also welcomed.
Categories include:
• Site-specific work
• Object-based sculptures
• Interactive installations
• Digital or tech-led works
• Video art
What to include in your pitch
To submit, send the following:
• A short artist/collective bio (200 words)
• Your concept and category (300 words)
• A short description and sketches of the work (300 words)
• A breakdown of how light is used (150 words)
• How audiences interact with the piece (ideally include a short video) (150 words)
• A clear, realistic budget
• Links or images of the proposed work or similar past work
Email your expression of interest to: spierlightart@lightplace.org before 21 July 2025. If selected, you may be asked to submit a full proposal later.
*For more info, go here.
Click here to read about this year’s Spier Light Art exhibition and to see some pictures.
