We are pleased to invite submissions for Peninsula: The South West Open, the newest instalment of our annual summer exhibition at Artizan Collective Gallery.

For over ten years, the English Riviera Summer Open has been a cornerstone of our gallery calendar, bringing a diverse range of national talent to our Fleet Walk venue.

For 2026, we are shifting the format. While we continue to welcome submissions from artists nationwide, this year we are asking applicants to respond directly to the physical, cultural, and historic characteristics of the South West.

Running from 26th July to 4th September, this exhibition will curate a specific narrative about the region, grounded in the landscapes, materials, and light that define it.

Deadline: 10th July, Midday

Submission Categories

Work can be submitted under three thematic categories which will underpin the curation of the show.

01. West Country Vistas (The Landscape Category)

The South West is defined by its physical environments - dramatic coastlines, rolling moors, and rural spaces. This category is for works that capture the geography of our region. This includes traditional plein air painting, urban photography of coastal towns, and abstract interpretations of the landscape. 3D works also accepted in this category.

02. Made of the West (The 3D & Maker Category)

This category focuses on the craft and sculptural talent associated with the West Country. It is dedicated to tactile, three-dimensional works, highlighting materials, heritage crafts, and physical making processes.

03. Western Light (The 'Inspired By' Category)

The peninsula is historically recognised for its unique, luminous quality of light, which has drawn artists to the region for centuries. Reflecting on this light and the regions rich creative heritage, this category is a more open category for any work inspired by the South West, or its creative heritage which is shared nationally.

Key Dates

• Deadline for Entries: 10th July, Midday
• Confirmation of Selection: 11th July, Midday
• Delivery Window: 11th July – 19th July (16:00 latest)
• Hang Dates (artists are not required to be present but should be prepared to receive work queries during this period): 19th - 24th July
• Exhibition Dates: 26th July – 4th September
• Launch Date: 25th July, 18:00-20:00
  
  

Submitting Work

You will need to complete a submission form for this opportunity which will ask you to provide details about yourself and each work you are submitting.

• Artists can make up to 6 submissions
• “Large works” (details below) count as 2 submissions
• Your 6 submissions can occur across multiple categories
• You do not have to be based within the South West of England to submit to this opportunity
• Terms and Conditions can be found on our submission page

2D Works

2D works are considered to be any wall display works including media traditionally provided framed, canvases, or sculptural work intended for wall hanging.

• Standard Work Dimensions: Not exceeding 60cm in any direction
• Large Work Dimensions (2 submissions): Not exceeding 120cm in any direction
• Oversized Work: Enquire directly before making a submission
• Framing and Presentation: Works must be presented in a commercial state. This means in clean, unmarked frames, correctly sized to the work. Where works are framed and glazed this must be behind glass only. Any work provided behind Perspex will either be taken to our framing partner to be fitted with glass at your expense, or not hung. This decision is at our discretion and you may not be notified.
• Canvas Depth: Works on canvas must be provided framed if they are on a narrow canvas (under 3cm). Standard full depth canvases can be submitted unframed.
• Hanging Fixings: Traditionally hung works (canvases or framed works) require two points of fixing, one on each side of the work. We recommend D-Rings for this which should be “strung” ready for sale. D-Rings should be fixed on the left and right of the work, roughly within the top 20% of the work. Works provided without appropriate fixings will have these added at your expense or may not be hung. This decision is at our discretion and you may not be notified.
• Non-Standard Works: Any work for wall display which is not hung in the above manner, should be communicated to us at the point of submission.

3D Works

3D works are considered to be any sculptural work for display on a plinth, shelf, or floor, and NOT on the wall.

• Standard Work Dimensions: Not exceeding 60cm in any direction
• Large Work Dimensions (2 submissions): Not exceeding 120cm in any direction
• Oversized Work: Enquire directly before making a submission
• Small Works: Small works (for example mugs or similar size ceramics, jewellery, or other small items produced in collections) are eligible for submission in series under one of your six submissions.
• Presentation and Display Equipment: We have a range of plinths varying from 30cm square to 50cm square, alongside a number of larger plinths up to 1m square. You may be asked to provide suitable display equipment for your work.
• Specialist Display: If your work requires any form of specialist display, you must communicate this at the point of submission. Jewellery and small items may be required to be provided with suitable lockable display cases.
  
  

Submission Fees and Pricing

• Single Work: £15.00
• Multi-Work: £40.00, Up to 6 Works (Max 4 Selected)
• Discretionary We welcome applicants to self-assess into this discretionary rate if it helps them to participate in the exhibition: £30.00, Up to 6 Works (Max 4 Selected)
• Commission: 35% commission is taken on all sales. This commission applies from the point of submission through to a period 4 weeks after the close of the show in all circumstances regardless of where the enquiry is received. Failure to disclose commission due or looking to subvert this contribution in any way, may result in you being prohibited to applying for future opportunities with us and our partners or the holding of works and other payments due in lieu of fees owed.
  
  

Exhibition Benefits

If selected, your work will be showcased in the English Riviera's only dedicated curated exhibition venue. Artists participating in the physical exhibition will receive:

• Inclusion in a 6-week commercial exhibition coinciding with the peak local tourist and collector season.
• Inclusion in our dedicated online exhibition micro-site to capture a wider audience and facilitate digital sales.
• Bespoke promotional materials designed to help you share your participation professionally with your own network.
• Eligibility for thematic prizes across our submission categories, alongside a £150 cash prize awarded to the overall exhibition winner.
• Guaranteed access to all "Value for Every Artist" benefits listed below.
  
  

Value for Every Artist

As a non-profit social enterprise, submission fees unfortunately remain a necessary part of our model. However, we are committed to ensuring that every artist who applies receives tangible benefits as part of their entry, regardless of whether their work is selected.

To support the commercial success and professional development of our submitting artists, every applicant to Peninsula will receive the following:

• The Peninsula Longlist: Space in our physical gallery is limited, meaning excellent work is often turned away. This year, the top tier of unselected works will be featured in "The Peninsula Longlist" - a dedicated online exhibition page that goes live alongside the physical show, ensuring high-quality submissions still gain an audience and can be purchased directly through the gallery's online platform.
• The Summer Artist Roster: A printed takeaway distributed in the gallery throughout the summer. Every applicant has the option to have their name and primary medium included in this roster, acting as a physical directory for summer visitors and regional collectors to discover your work through Artizan.
• Digital Foyer Display: A rolling digital presentation displayed on a screen in our gallery space. Every submitting artist will have one piece of work included in this loop, ensuring all applicants have a physical footprint in the venue during the exhibition.
• The "Selection Insights" Debrief: After the curation process is complete, all applicants will receive a concise debrief document from our curation team. This resource will outline the overarching trends we saw this year, what made the successful works stand out, and general “gallery readiness” advice to help support your future applications.
  
  

Key Links

• Terms and Conditions: https://www.art-hub.co.uk/exhibitorsterms
• Payment Link: https://pay.sumup.com/b2c/QTJZBBIK