Ripple Effect invites artists to respond to the idea that individual actions — creative, social, political, or personal — can create wider waves of change. Artists selected for Ripple Effect the Anniversary Edition will be part of a major public exhibition and celebration marking two significant milestones: the anniversary of Ripple Effect and the anniversary of ArtWorks East opening its doors to the public.

The Private View

The Private View will take place over on the 22nd May, with the evening opening the curated show and an anniversary party, bringing together artists, creatives, entrepreneurs, partners, press, and our wider cultural network.

This year’s edition builds on the legacy of the original Ripple Effect, returning with some of the artists who shaped earlier iterations of the show, alongside a completely
new cohort of artists selected through an open call. As before, we are particularly interested in mixed media practices, but submissions are open across disciplines.

Theme: Ripple Effect

Our lives and practices are deeply interconnected. Ripple Effect invites artists to respond to the idea that individual actions — creative, social, political, or personal — can create wider waves of change.

We are looking for work that considers:

* Interconnectedness and community
* Collective action and shared growth
* Personal stories that have allowed for growth or impact
* Social, environmental, or cultural change
* The visible and invisible networks that bind us together
Interpretations can be direct or abstract, conceptual or narrative. We welcome work that engages with these ideas through a contemporary, critical, or poetic lens.

What We’re Looking For

We welcome submissions across all disciplines, with a strong interest in mixed media. This includes (but is not limited to):

* Painting and drawing
* Sculpture and installation
* Photography
* Video and digital work
* Textiles, sound, and experimental practices

Approach

Work should engage with the theme through a human lens, reflecting on how individual contributions connect to broader systems, communities, or movements.

Selected artists will:

* Exhibit their work at ArtWorks East during a one-month exhibition following a high-profile private view and anniversary celebration.
* Be promoted before, during, and after the exhibition across ArtWorks East platforms, press outreach, and partner networks.
* Connect with a wide audience of creatives, entrepreneurs, local businesses, funders, and media.
* Be eligible for exclusive opportunities, including:
* 1 exhibiting artist receiving 6 months of free desk space or wall-based working space at ArtWorks East.
* Discounted studio spaces offered to exhibiting artists.

This exhibition is designed not only as a showcase, but as a gateway into an ongoing creative ecosystem.

Exhibition Format

* Group exhibition featuring returning Ripple Effect artists and newly selected open-call artists
* Public and private view events as part of the ArtWorks East anniversary weekend
* Exhibition duration: one month
* Extensive documentation and promotion

Submission Guidelines

* Open Call: Mixed media and interdisciplinary work encouraged
* Deadline: 26th April, 12:00am (midnight)

*£25 for selected artists to exhibit

About the Exhibition

Since opening, ArtWorks East has showcased over 200 artists across an array of exciting exhibitions and welcomed more than 5,000 attendees through 50+ events, workshops, and activations. What began as a vision for an accessible, artist-led space has grown into a thriving community for creatives, freelancers, and entrepreneurs working across art, culture, and social impact.

Ripple Effect – Momentum, The Anniversary Edition reflects this growth. The exhibition explores how small actions, ideas, and creative practices can generate lasting impact — not just within art, but across communities, businesses, and networks. It celebrates connection, momentum, and the compounding effect of people coming together over time.

This exhibition also acts as a moment of reflection and projection: acknowledging what has been built so far, while creating space for new voices, new work, and new collaborations.

The Private View will take place over on the 8th May, with the evening opening the curated show and an anniversary party, bringing together artists, creatives, entrepreneurs, partners, press, and our wider cultural network.