Open Call for Unprecedented – OVADA is a contemporary art space based in Oxford that is run by artists to provide unique opportunities for both artists and audiences.

During lockdown we asked people from all over the world, young and old to contribute to the OVADA ‘Covid Quilt Project’. The project was open to anyone interested who wanted to create a 17cm quilt square in any medium. These will make up a quilt as a memorial to the shared experience of the pandemic. 

Our quilt has been the inspiration to put together an open exhibition during April 2021 as part of Oxford Artweeks to celebrate the reopening of art spaces and to the resilience of all artists and arts organisations. We are looking to complement the exhibition with work created either during the pandemic or in response to the pandemic.

Perhaps you have struggled to create work… have been more or even less productive due to other commitments or caregiver responsibilities…. or perhaps you have changed your practice completely during this time due to space limitations or access to materials! We are looking to exhibit work responding to these questions in any medium – including sculpture, performance, film, painting, photography, sound and installation.

To Apply

This is an opportunity to exhibit as part of a community of artists all with common struggles during these difficult times.

Entry is FREE for current OVADA Associates or £15 for non-associates.

You can pay the non-associate fee through the following link: https://www.ovada.org.uk/shop/opportunity/unprecedented-non-associate-submission

Associate membership details: 

If you would like to learn about becoming an Associate and join OVADA’s growing network of creatives, you can do so here: www.ovada.org.uk/associates/become-an-associate-member/

DEADLINE: 

Sunday 28th February 2021 5pm

NB: Selected work must be delivered/couriered to OVADA Warehouse on Friday 2nd April 2021 (or as otherwise agreed with OVADA) and collected Friday 4th June 2021, at the expense of the artist. OVADA will cover other costs related to the exhibition.  

With special thanks to Oxford City Council’s Culture Fund for kindly supporting this project.