Call for Artists: The Witham Summer Open Exhibition – June 2026. The Witham is inviting submissions of original artworks for a vibrant summer exhibition in June 2026. This is a fantastic opportunity for artists in County Durham, North Yorkshire, Cumbria, Tyneside, Teesside and Northumbria to showcase their work and connect with a new audience. This exhibition will raise funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust in memory of Sam Alexander.

The Witham in Barnard Castle invites artists to take part in an Open Call for our summer exhibition.

Submission criteria

Open to all artists living in  County Durham, North Yorkshire, Cumbria, Tyneside, Teesside and Northumbria.  

There is no set theme, and the exhibition is open to wall-based work. We aim to select up to 50 artworks and  welcome entries in:

• Painting
• Printmaking
• Drawing
• Mixed media
• Photography

There is a size restriction of 1m x 1m for this exhibition.

Key Dates

Deadline to apply: Friday, 10th April, 2026. Late entries cannot be considered

Notification of selection: Friday, 1st May 2026

Delivery of artwork: Between 1st - 6th June 2026

Exhibition dates: 9th to 27th June 2026

Opening event: Monday, 8th June 6–8 pm

Who Can Apply

We welcome submissions from any Northern-based artists working in 2D media who can arrange delivery and collection of their work to/from the gallery in Barnard Castle.

Successful artists are welcome to send their work by post. Work sent by post should reach us between 1st and 6th June 2026.

Artists are also welcome to deliver work in person to the gallery between 10 am and 3 pm, 1st - 6th June 2026.

If you have any issues with these dates, please contact us after selection, and we may be able to help.

Submission Guidelines

Submit up to three artworks.  Please include:

• Artwork Title
• Medium
• Price (or mark NFS if not for sale)
• Include dimensions in cms (including frame if applicable). Hanging hardware (D-rings or wire) must be securely attached.

Prizes

Three prizes, kindly sponsored by William Smith Group, will be voted for by the public:

• £100 first prize
• £75 second prize
• £25 third prize

Fees & Sales

Free to apply.

If selected, a £35 participation fee per artwork applies.  Fees must be paid by 15th May. 

All fees will go to The Cystic Fibrosis Trust in memory of Sam Alexander.  

In return for your fee, you will be invited to a Private View, to which you are welcome to bring friends and family.  This Private View will provide opportunities for networking.  

The Witham is a popular arts centre pulling in local residents and visitors to Teesdale, in 2025 approx 21,000 people visited the centre.

The exhibition will be promoted online through social media posts. 

We have:

• Facebook: 6.5k followers, over 2.7 million views during the year ending 2025
• Instagram: 2.1k followers,  reached 130,000 unique accounts during 2025
• LinkedIn: 122 followers on The Witham Arts Centre page
• TikTok: 557 followers, 28.9k likes across published content

In addition press releases are issued to relevant local and regional media, including Teesdale Mercury, Northern Echo, Darlington & Stockton Times.

Regular listings are placed in regional cultural publications such as The Crack, Cultured North East, NARC and Durham Magazine.
There will also be coverage and interviews on local radio, including Durham OnAir.

A reduced  commission rate for this exhibition of 20% will be taken on sales, which will help keep the gallery running as an accessible space for artists and the local community.

By submitting, you agree that your images may be used in promotional materials (social media, flyers, posters, etc.). 

We will market the exhibition via our regularly updated website's What’s On section with individual event and exhibition pages.

A monthly blog provides a round-up of activity, exhibitions and events.

Our weekly email newsletters reach over 7,000 subscribers.

In-house digital screens, including external screens on the front of the building are updated weekly to promote current and upcoming activity.

About The Witham

The Witham has been at the heart of Barnard Castle and Teesdale’s cultural life for over 150 years. Our centre is a beacon of artistic and social engagement, offering a vibrant array of events and activities.

The Witham is committed to facilitating social change:

• Providing creative, relevant, entertaining, and potentially transformative cultural experiences for artists, audiences, and guests.
• Cultivating an inclusive environment. 
• Offering classes and workshops to promote lifelong learning and well-being.
• Championing sustainability and self-sufficiency through conscientious resource management and fundraising.
• Maximising value derived from employment and volunteering opportunities.

The gallery is open Tuesday–Saturday, 9.30 am–3.30 pm.

Registered Charity Number 1146726