Wayfarers Contemporary Art Fair
Deadline: 01/06/2026City: Southport | Country: United Kingdom | Play On Productions
Southport’s elegant Edwardian Wayfarers Arcade is hosting a brand new art fair. That will open with a special preview on Thursday 16th July 2026 at 5pm and be open to the public for free from Friday the 17th to Saturday 18th of July 2026 between 10am and 5pm. The fair will take place when Royal Birkdale hosts the Open Golf championship, that will bring a quarter of a million visitors to Southport from across the globe. We will use this to showcase and celebrate UK creative talent, including the best of fine art, design, food and drink.
To ensure a celebratory weekend, The Wayfarers Contemporary Art Fair will also include art talks, demonstrations and music, with the resident café’s serving a special menu.
Applications are now open.
We are seeking applications from artist makers, artist collectives and galleries whose work demonstrates quality and originality.
This includes, but is not limited to independents specialising in fine art painting, sculpture, printmaking, craft, design-led products, homeware, textiles, and thoughtfully produced food and drink.
Application will close on Monday 1st June 2026.
Artist makers and galleries will be selected by the organising panel.
Applicants will be notified of the panel’s decision within one week of applying. Selection will ensure a balanced, high-quality art fair that reflects the breadth of contemporary making.
Cost
- Standard exhibition area: £200 inc VAT (2m x 1.5m)
- Premium exhibition area: £400 inc VAT (3m x 3m)
- Premium Plus exhibition area: £600 incVAT (6m x 3m)
Fees must be paid in advance to guarantee a place. The exhibitors selected will be informed of payment details and deadlines.
Fees are costed to make taking part in an art fair more accessible. They will support the running of the fair.
Location
The fair will take place inside Southport’s Wayfarers Arcade, within the mahogany and stain glass fronted shop units on the ground floor and balcony. The main exhibition area was originally designed as an exhibition space in the 1920s. The exhibitors will be allocated an exhibition area by artform display need.
It is expected that the exhibitors will design, hang and steward their allocated exhibition area, including managing their own sales. A paid for art wrapping and shipping service will also be provided for your buyers, plus you will be given access to an art storage area.
Exhibitors can access and install from 9 am Thursday 16th July until the preview opens the fair on Thursday 16th July at 17.00.
The space is fully indoors with access to toilets, lifts, electricity and WIFI.
Accessibility
The exhibition space is accessible from the main entrance.
Organisers
The Wayfarers Contemporary Art fair is led by a partnership of Gallery More, Modern Contemporary, Play On productions CIC, and The Wayfarers Arts. With advisor The Northerner Gallery.
For more information, please read the FAQs.
We welcome applications from early-career through to established artists, but all artists must be over 18.
All works must be original, or have a limited edition. All work must be for sale and there is no upper price limit.
We adhere to equal opportunity, and have pledged to ensure that disabled people have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations.
• Premium exhibition area: £400 including VAT (3m x 3m)
• Premium Plus exhibition area: £600 including VAT (6m x 3m)
Prices includes chairs and access to a limited number of tables are display units.
Fees must be paid in advance to guarantee a place. Exhibitors selected for participation will be informed of payment deadlines.
The fee covers the cost of running and promoting the art fair.
Exhibitors can set up on Thursday 16 July from 9 am until the preview opens the fair at 5 pm. They can also access the space on Friday 17 July between 8 am and 10 am to install.
Toilets are available on both floors, with the access toilet on the ground floor.
If you have any concerns about your access requirements, please let the organisers know.
The event is programmed to coincide with the Royal Birkdale Open Golf championship, that will bring a quarter of a million visitors to Southport from across the globe. The event will be actively promoted to visitors of the town.
Exhibitors are expected to look after their exhibition area at all times during the event. We would suggest bringing an additional person to help cover breaks (staff are unable to help with your break cover).
Exhibitors are selected to ensure that the art fair presents a range of products. Selection will be done to ensure a balanced, high-quality art fair that reflects the breadth of contemporary art and design.
Exhibitors will be selected on a rolling basis by the panel that will meet weekly to discuss all submissions. Applicants will be notified of the panel’s decision within 5 working days of their application. The team will contact all exhibitors via email.
Unfortunately the team will not be able to provide feedback on unsuccessful submissions.
All applicants will be contacted via email.
Each exhibition area is unique, with some areas more suited to 3D display and others 2D wall hanging. Allocation will take into account artform display needs.
For 3D work we have a limited number of optional display units, plinths, mannequins and rails available at no extra charge, but you are welcome to bring your own. For 2D display the space offers picture rail hanging, standard white boards or easy hang slatwall hanging. We have picture rail and slat wall hanging fixtures available.
A paid for art wrapping and shipping service will also be provided for your buyers. Plus you will have access to an art storage area used at the exhibitors own risk.
There is a loading bay and long stay paid for parking on site.
For artists needing accommodation we recommend exhibitors book early, since the Open Golf will add to demand.
Full details regarding set up and take down will be sent in advance of the event.
Work should be de-rigged on Saturday 17th July between 5 pm and 9 pm.
Please contact the organisers if you are concerned about the installation timing.
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