Catch The Sun is an exciting opportunity for Dorset-based artists, from children and complete beginners to seasoned professionals, to submit artworks for an exhibition at the new Corn Exchange Gallery in the centre of Dorchester. The exhibition, managed by Dorchester Arts and running from Tues 24th March to Sat 11th April, will coincide with the presentation of Luke Jerram’s Helios at the Corn Exchange over the 2026 Easter holidays. Helios, a seven metre diameter representation of the Sun at an approximate scale of 1:200 million, is the latest in a series of celestial artworks by Luke Jerram, and his Museum of The Moon and Mars caused huge excitement when they visited Dorchester in 2019 and 2022 respectively.

All the artworks submitted should be inspired in one way or another by the Sun – from its sheer scale and awesome power, through the life it breathes into the Earth, to the ways in which it has been celebrated and even worshipped through human history.

From the artworks which are submitted a panel of judges will create a community art exhibition celebrating this natural wonder and the wealth of artistic talent in Dorset.

As space in the gallery is limited, not all works will be able to be shown, and some other conditions apply:

All artworks must be original works created by people living or working in Dorset

They must be suitable for hanging on a wall using gallery hanging wires.

Our space for sculpture is very limited due to the nature of the gallery space, and works cannot be attached to the walls using fixings such as screws or mirror plates.

The selection panel will consider works in any medium – painting, drawing, photography, printing, mixed media, textiles, wall-mounted sculptures, etc. Video art can also be submitted, but opportunities to display this are limited.

Due to space limitations, only a small number of large works will be considered.

As a general guide, works up to 60cm wide will be favoured, but a few larger pieces may be included if they are judged to be exceptional.

Work can be offered for sale - Dorchester Arts will handle all sales, and a commission of 25% will be taken on all sold works.

The exhibition will be listed on the Dorchester Arts website, publicised through e-flyers (database of 7500+), listed in the Dorchester Arts brochure (4000 print run) and promoted via social media and local media (radio, press).

People whose work has been chosen for the exhibition will be invited to a launch event (full details will be sent if work is chosen for the exhibition).

A maximum of two artworks can be submitted per entrant.

The submission deadline is Friday 20th Feb, and successful entrants will be informed by Friday 6th March.

There are no fees.