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Artist Call : Wayfarers Contemporary Art Fair 2026

Deadline: 14/06/2026

City: Southport  |  Country: United Kingdom  |  Play On Productions

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Applications are open for contemporary artists to exhibit and sell at Wayfarers Contemporary Art Far in Southport’s historic Wayfares Arcade 16-18 July 2026. Artwork will be curated as a biennale, and will coincide with Royal Birkdale’s Open Golf that will attract 250,000 visitors to Southport. Apply before Sunday 14th June 2026.

Applications are open for contemporary artists to exhibit and sell at Wayfarers Contemporary Art Fair in Southport’s historic Wayfarers Arcade, 16 – 18 July 2026.

The Art Fair will be curated in the spirit of a biennale to elevate Southport’s cultural offer.

Regional high profile artists taking part include Tony Heaton, Julian Tayor, and Tina Dempsey.

The event is free for the public to attend, and is timed to coincide with Royal Birkdale’s Open Golf championships, that will bring 250,000 visitors into Southport.

The event is being promoted through a variety of content and the dedicated website.

We are seeking applications from fine artists, craft and design-led creatives.

Exhibitors will be selected by a panel and fees apply.

Choose to enter art on either a 40% commission basis or pay £200 for a 2m x 2m exhibition area with zero commission.

Fees cover the fair costs, and 10% of all proceeds go to local charity Bebe’s Hive, which supports Southport’s grieving children through arts and crafts.

Artists do not need to be present for the Art Fair, but are encouraged to attend the preview on 16th July, 5- 9 pm. The Art Fair will be open to the public on Friday, 17th and Saturday, 18th July, between 10 am and 5 pm.

Apply before Sunday, 14th June 2026. Applicants will be notified of the panel’s decision within 3 working days of applying.

The Wayfarers Contemporary Art fair organisers are Gallery More, Play On Productions CIC and The Wayfarers Arts.

The Wayfarers Contemporary Art Fair is delivered in partnership with VAA.

Please also read the FAQs for more information. 

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Who is eligible for this opportunity?
The fair is open to artists, collectives and galleries specialising in, but not limited to, fine art painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography, ceramics, craft, design-led products, homeware and textiles.

We welcome applications from early-career through to established artists, but all artists must be over 18.
All works must be original, or have a limited edition. All work should ideally be for sale, and there is no upper price limit.

We adhere to equal opportunity, and have pledged to ensure that disabled people have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations.
When is the deadline?
Sunday 14th June 2026.
What are the dates and times of the Wayfarers Contemporary Art Fair?
A special preview evening will be held on Thursday, 16 July, from 5 pm to 9 pm. This will include live music and a charity auction for Bebe’s Hive.

The Art Fair will be open to the public for free on Friday, 17th and Saturday, 18th July, between 10 am and 5 pm each day.
Where is the art fair taking place?
The Art Fair will take place inside Southport’s historic Wayfarers Arcade, inside its mahogany and stain glass fronted shop units. The main exhibition area was originally designed as an exhibition space in the 1920s.
The space is fully indoors with access to toilets, lifts, electricity, WIFI and cafes.

There is long stay paid for parking on site. For artists needing accommodation we recommend exhibitors book early, since the Open Golf will add to demand.
When do I need to bring and collect my art for the Art Fair?
When you bring your art is dependent on how you have chosen to take part.

Artists taking part on a commission basis will need to ensure their artwork arrives at the Wayfarers before the 11th July, to ensure the organisers have enough time to curate. The organisers will be in touch to coordinate this. The artwork will be taken down on Sunday 18th July and stored for collection.

Artists choosing an exhibition area can access and install from 9 am on Thursday, 16th July, until the preview opens the fair at 5 pm. It is expected that work will be de-rigged on Saturday, 17th July, between 5 pm and 9 pm.

There is a loading bay on site; further details of this will be sent to exhibitors in advance of the event. Please contact the organisers if you are concerned about the installation.
How much does it cost?
It is free to apply, but once selected fees apply. You can choose to enter art on either a 40% commission basis or alternatively pay £200 (including VAT) for a 2m x 2m exhibition area with zero commission. There is also the option to take a larger exhibition area, if this is of interest please let the organisers know.
How will the work be exhibited and sold?
How your art is presented is dependent on how you have chosen to take part.

Artists taking part on a commission basis will have their work curated by the organisers. Sales will be managed by the organisers.

Artists choosing instead to take an exhibition area have the option to design and hang their own area and manage their own sales or hand over responsibility for this to the organisers. Your exhibition area will be allocated by artform, theme and display need. Display furniture is available at no additional fee.

A paid for art wrapping and shipping service will also be provided for your buyers, plus you will be given access to an art storage area.
Does the location have disabled access?
The event space is accessible to anyone with mobility requirements from the main entrance on the ground floor and the loading bay. Access through the rear of the arcade is limited. The site covers a large area, and is filled with the quirks of a historic building such as stairs and heavy wooden doors. A lift provides access to the first floor.
Toilets are available on both floors, with the access toilet on the ground floor.

If you have any concerns about your access requirements, please let the organisers know.
What publicity will be provided as part of the opportunity?
The Wayfarers Contemporary Art Fair will be promoted through a variety of content on art sector social media platforms and through a dedicated website.

The event is programmed to coincide with the Royal Birkdale Open Golf championship, that will bring a quarter of a million visitors to Southport from across the globe. The event will be actively promoted to visitors of the town.
Do I need to be present?
No, the organisers will steward the event. Although artists choosing to take an exhibition area may wish to steward their own area and manage their own sales.

All artists are invited to attend the preview on Thursday, 16th July, between 5 and 9 pm to support their sales.

The Art Fair also has a programme of artist networking and talks that artists may like to join.
Do I need insurance?
Yes, it is expected that exhibitors will have insurance for their artwork.

For artists choosing to take an exhibition area, it will be necessary to have public liability insurance to the value of £2 million.

If you do not hold either insurance, please see CuratorSpace's option: https://www.curatorspace.com/about/news/m-ppl-insurance-now-available-with-curatorspace/38 or artist newsletter insurance as an affordable option. See https://www.a-n.co.uk/about/insurance/
How are applicants selected?
Exhibitors are selected by a panel comprising the organisers: Gallery More, Play On Productions, The Wayfarers Arts. They include members with comprehensive experience in curating, exhibiting, promoting, commissioning and retailing work by artists and makers at all levels of experience.

Selection will be done to ensure a balanced, high-quality art fair that reflects the breadth of contemporary art and design.
How will I know if I have been selected?
Applicants will be notified of the panel’s decision within 3 working days of their application. The team will contact all exhibitors via email.

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