Submit your zine or book to be part of the Zine Library for our winter exhibition in the Gallery, themed on light.

About the exhibition:

In the darkest months of the year, this exhibition is an explosion of light. 

Soft Light will showcase paintings, photography and installations that masterfully capture sunshine, moonlight and artificial light alongside contemporary craft from UK-based artists and makers.

We are looking for artists to apply to exhibit their zines in our newly established zine library, curated alongside each Gallery exhibition.

About Sunny Bank Mills:

Sunny Bank Mills is an inspirational cultural destination in the heart of the local community of Farsley, Leeds.

Founded in 1829, Sunny Bank Mills offers beautifully restored creative business spaces for both small and large organisations. 

Sunny Bank Mills Gallery is the epicentre of our arts programme, spanning exhibitions, workshops, studio spaces and events.

The Gallery, located in a 3,000 sq. ft. former cloth warehouse, has hosted diverse exhibitions and events for the past 10 years.

Our annual Ones to Watch exhibition has supported over 350 emerging Yorkshire artists.

We are enhancing our Arts and Heritage Programmes, focusing on inclusion and accessibility. More on Access at Sunny Bank Mills.

The Gallery also features a shop and tea room, and runs an extensive workshop programme.

The Mills has a large artist studio community.

Sunny Bank Mills Museum & Archive protects and promotes the history of the Mills and the community.

What are we looking for? 

We are looking for zines and books to include on our Zine Library within the Gallery. 

Through this open call, we hope to hear from a range of voices.

If selected, your work be seen by thousands of visitors throughout the course of the exhibition and may be featured on our social media with a reach of 30,000+ followers.

Eligibility:

This open call is open at any artist based in the UK & Ireland, who is able to deliver or post their zine to the Gallery in Farsley, Leeds, LS28 5UJ.

We will be accepting work that is for sale in limited or unlimited runs, one-off artists' books and books that are not for sale. 

Please note - the work featured in the library will be handled by visitors on a daily basis, so please consider this when applying.

Accepted formats:

• Photographic or illustrative zines or self-published books
• Artists’ books
• Poetry or prose books/pamphlets
• Dummy/prototype books

Relevant themes

• Light
• Darkness
• Winter
• Contemplation
• Home

Tips to strengthen your application:

• Attach clean, high-quality photos of the work you plan to exhibit and add names and approximate dimensions.
• Please include any other images that support your application or will help to create an impression of your practice as a whole.
• Clearly describe the work you are submitting, as well as discuss your practice in general.

Important dates and additional information:

The exhibition runs 3rd October - 24th December 2026 at Sunny Bank Mills Gallery, Leeds.

Work will need to arrive at the Gallery ahead of the launch of Soft Light (between 21st & 30th September).

Books will remain in the library throughout the duration of the exhibition. 

If work is for sale, 1 copy will be a display copy to include on the library shelves until the exhibition ends.

Postage costs can be covered upon request, as we may request up to 5 zines/books if available. 

Our standard rate of commission is  45% including VAT, so please consider this when pricing your work. 

Please include the retail price on your application form.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Midnight on Sunday 20th September.

Find out more about the exhibition on our website.

When applying for this opportunity, we would really appreciate it if you could fill out our equal opportunities survey here.

If you have any questions or need support with your application, please contact us here on Curatorspace.