‘SURFACE TENSION’ art exhibition will be a central element of Queerfest 2026. This opportunity is open to artists from all disciplines and styles, including but not limited to painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, photography, video and mixed media.

Surface tension suggests both resilience and fragility: a force that holds, yet can be broken.

For queer bodies and identities, how we appear becomes a manifesto — a way of living visibly in a world that often politicises our existence.

We appear to create a certain unease in the mainstream, as our lives and existence are politicised and confrontational.

‘SURFACE TENSION’ art exhibition will be a central element of Queerfest  (CIC) Norwich 2026.

This opportunity is open to artists from all disciplines and styles, including but not limited to painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, photography, video and mixed media.

The show will be held from 4 to 15 February 2023 at St Margaret's Gallery, St Margaret's Church, St Benedicts Street, Norwich NR2 4TU

Deadline for submission: Midnight on Friday 2 January 2026

Please read all the information here before applying.

Artists are encouraged to submit work that represents their practice and responds to the exhibition's brief.

Exhibition Title: Surface Tension

Exhibition Brief: Surface tension suggests both resilience and fragility: a force that holds, yet can be broken.

For queer bodies and identities, how we appear becomes a manifesto — a way of living visibly in a world that often politicises our existence.

We appear to create a certain unease in the mainstream, as our lives and existence are politicised and confrontational. Visibility itself becomes an art of defiance.

Surface Tension wants to present art that thrives on the conflict of desire, where resistance meets conformity.

We play with the surface of visibility, we change our skin with tattoos and makeup and clothing, and most certainly, attitude.

This play can protect, but also expose a vulnerability, certainly a tension to explore. On the surface, but with an inner depth.

Art as argument, as adornment, as a power to be authentic.  The Queer aesthetic, turning the fragile into force.

This exhibition aims to amplify the voices of artists whose work defies simple categorisation, embracing expressions of Queerness that reflect lived experiences across intersections of race, gender identity, diversity, ability and cultural backgrounds.

Artists are encouraged to submit pieces that provoke, celebrate, and challenge viewers, creating a space where Queerness is embraced.

Hanging Fee

It is free to submit artwork, however, there will be a hanging fee of £15 to cover gallery hire and publicity. There will also be an option to 'pay it forward' to allow support for artists less able to contribute financially.

Benefits of participating:

• We will be distributing leaflets and posters in prime locations in Norwich. We will have paid social media coverage and provide press releases to media outlets.
• Each artist will be featured on our social media @queerfestnorwich (3600 followers on Instagram, 600+ on Facebook), the Gallery social media @stmargaretsgallery
• The opening event will allow networking opportunities with other artists and the local Queer community.
• There will be a small pop-up shop in addition to the exhibition, exhibiting artists will be invited to submit small drawings, paintings, prints, textiles, pottery, etc for sale in the shop area. Queerfest CIC will take a commission of 25% on all sales from the shop and gallery.
• Each artist will be listed on our website as a gallery artist, with links to their contact details
• The exhibition will be documented by a professional photographer.
• We will run a series of workshops alongside the exhibition. If artists want to contribute to the workshops offered, we are happy to discuss.

We generally have over 1000 visitors to our annual exhibition

Important Dates

Please fill in the submission form by midnight on Friday, 2 January 2026

We aim to contact all applicants, whether selected or not, by 16 January 2026.

Delivery of work to the St Margaret's Gallery on Monday, 9  February 2026, or make alternative arrangements with the Queerfest team.

Collection will be on Sunday, 15th February. 2026

Selection Panel

This year’s selection panel consists of Rachel Collier-Wilson and Trish Fried Rice

Queerfest is kindly supported by Norwich University of the Arts.

Thank you for your interest.