Following the success of our previous two open call exhibitions, &Gallery is pleased to announce that submissions are now open for our 2026 Open Call Exhibition.
We invite artists living and working from the UK and worldwide to submit their artwork for consideration in a group exhibition scheduled for September 2026. The selected works will be carefully curated in a physical group exhibition at &Gallery in Edinburgh. This year, we have invited gallery artist Karen Stamper to join the selection panel.
Karen Stamper first exhibited with the gallery as part of our debut Open Call Exhibition in 2024. After returning in 2025 for a successful solo exhibition, we were delighted to invite her back to co-curate this year’s exhibition. Karen’s practice uses drawing, collage and painting to explore the textures of urban and coastal environments. Her layered work captures a sense of place and time, moving between abstraction and recognisable imagery.
As with previous years, this year’s open call has no set theme. We look forward to welcoming submissions across all mediums and disciplines and encourage artists at all stages of their practice to submit work. The open format allows for a broad and engaging presentation of contemporary art, bringing together a diverse range of ideas, approaches, and materials.
Submission Fee: £15
Maximum artwork per submission: 2
Artists can complete more than one submission form
Key dates
Open Call live from: Monday 18 May 2026
Open Call deadline: Tuesday 30 June 2026, midnight
Selection notification: From Tuesday 14 June 2026
Exhibition opening: Saturday 5 September 2026, 2 – 4pm
Exhibition dates: 5 - 30 September 2026
Collection of unsold works: 1 – 2 October 2026
Eligibility
- The following medias will be accepted: painting, drawing, printmaking, collage, photography, sculpture, ceramics, tapestries, weavings, artist books, glass & silversmithing.
- Unfortunately, we do not have the facilities in the gallery to exhibit film and video installations, sound & performances.
- Work submitted should be no larger than 120 x 120cm in size.
- Three-dimensional wall, plinth and floor-based work will be accepted.
- The open call is available to any artist worldwide, with no age restriction.
- All submitted artwork must be available for sale and must have been made in the past 24 months.
- All images submitted must be original artwork created by yourself or artworks created by an artist who authorised you to submit the images on their behalf – living and working.
- No reproductions or copies of any kind will be accepted. i.e. Giclee prints - unless it is an original limited-edition artwork.
- Selected artwork must be delivered to the gallery no later than Friday 28 August.
- Selected artworks can be delivered by a courier or representative.
Selection Process
All applications will be considered through a selection process. Please note that submission does not guarantee acceptance of your work. All submissions will receive a confirmation email via Jotform.
All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their submission, but we are unable to provide individual feedback.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
By entering the Open Call application, you accept and agree to the following Terms and Conditions:
- All entries must be submitted using the online Jotform by the stated deadline.
- £15 submission fee is non-refundable. The submission fee must be paid through the Jotform by either debit or credit card. The cost covers a small admin fee and the booking platform.
Artwork delivery
- It is the responsibility of the artist to organise delivery of work to the gallery. The work can be delivered to the gallery by an art or postal courier, or a representative.
- Selected artists are welcome to hand in their work directly the gallery prior to the exhibition install.
- All artworks must be clearly labelled.
- The artist must cover any duties and tax for works delivered outside of the UK. The gallery will not accept any works with outstanding tax or delivery charges.
- &Gallery is not responsible for any loss or damage incurred during transit to and from the gallery.
Supporting images
- All artwork images should be no larger than 1MB in size.
- Artists can submit up to three supporting images per piece of work. These images can include detailed images of the work and side views.
- By submitting artwork to the Open Call, you give permission for your work to be shared by &Gallery on its website, social media platforms and newsletters.
- The artist retains full copyright of the work.
Artist Statement and CV
- All submissions are required to submit a supporting artists statement (250 words MAX) This statement should be in third person.
- All submissions are required to submit an up-to-date Artist CV. This can include selected exhibitions, awards, collections, residencies and education if they apply.
Sales
- Artworks submitted must be available for sale and selected artists will be required to sign a consignment agreement. The gallery may ask to extend the consignment agreement at the end of the exhibition.
- &Gallery will take a 50% commission on any sale made during the consignment period.
- Selected work should not be for sale on any other platforms during the exhibition period. Print editions are an exception.
Framing
- Submitted works are not required to be framed.
- Works on paper are not required to be framed, however, if framed they must be presented in a minimal box or tray frame.
Artwork Collection
- The artist is responsible for the return of any unsold artwork. The Gallery shall ensure that all such work is wrapped and prepared for return in its original packaging. The artist is required to keep a record of the package dimensions and weight for the return shipment.
- &Gallery is not responsible for any loss or damage incurred during transit to and from the gallery.
- The work can be collected from the gallery by an art or postal courier, or a representative.
- All artwork must be collected from the gallery by Friday 2 October.