A one week pop up exhibition around the themes in Witching Hour zine: night time worlds, spirituality, witchcraft, sex work, entertainment industry, and the darker aspects of life

We're looking for 2D work which responds to the theme of darkness and/or nighttime, which is open to wide interpretation.

We're particularly keen to hear from artists with demonstrable lived experience of night-time industries, and/or who don't have a formal art education or have had limited access to exhibitions.

Feel free to write in plain language in your application.

Previous applicants or zine collaborators are welcome to apply.

Artists must be over 18. You can use a pseudonym or remain anonymous.

Artwork may be for sale, 15% will be commission added. 

Artwork should be: 

- 2-dimensional, including photography, painting, collage, writing
- Up to 1.5m x 1.5m maximum, smaller works are very welcome due to limited space
- NSFW pieces may be possible but spaces for these are limited due to display away from windows
- Framed, mirror-plated, or otherwise suitable for hanging by hooks
- Even if your work is not for sale, an approximate value may be required for insurance purposes 

Delivery and collection: 

- You must be able to deliver or post your work to Sunderland 8th / 9th December, OR drop off in Newcastle 10th December between 4.30 - 6 pm
- You must be able to collect your work from Newcastle 16th December 4 - 6 pm, OR provide funds for insured return postage by 16th December
- Uncollected artwork cannot be held

Benefits to artists

- Popular shopping and cultural location, in Newcastle's Ouseburn district with organic footfall along the riverside walk 
- Contemporary exhibition space with white walls, natural light, and high-quality hanging systems 
- Exhibition will be promoted in local press and listings site, curator's website and social media, pop-up space's social media and printed flyers distributed amongst local businesses and food and drink venues 
- Exhibition will be photographed, with artists given access to an online drive or similar 
- Artists can attend workshops in the space for free
- Celebration and networking event tbc - likely Saturday 13th December 
- Artwork and additional prints and smaller items may be for sale, with low commission (15%) 

Witching Hour zine is now on its third issue, giving voice to artists, writers, and practitioners whose practice reflects the world after dark.

This is a wide definition, and submissions have included sex workers, shift workers, witches, ravers, people with insomnia, and moonlight photographers. 

Funds from sales of the zine have been ringfenced for an exhibition and have partly funded the hire of the fantastic BottleWorks space in historic Ouseburn, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

The exhibition will run 10th - 16th December 2025, and will include: 

- A pop up exhibition with a variety of 2D art from this open call
- Creative workshops, subjects and facilitators tbc
- A drop in creative activity where visitors can add their experiences, artwork, and writing to a special Newcastle After Dark issue of Witching Hour 
- A small shop selling zines, prints, and crafts 
- A drop in zine library to read and enjoy 

About the curator 

Sally Anderson is a multidisciplinary artist and creative practitioner based in the North East, with an academic background in Psychology and Education.

With a background in movement and circus arts, she is currently focused on painting and zine-making, and is moving to curation and creative production to create opportunities for artists to exhibit and be published.

She also works for a national charity which supports sex workers, which informs her focus on underrepresented and marginalised artistic voices.