Annual Open 2026

About this call

Established in 1984, the same year as the gallery, the Annual Open at Southwark Park Galleries in London, United Kingdom, is London's longest-running democratic exhibition, open to artists at any stage of their career with no selection criteria: all submissions are accepted and exhibited unless the guidelines have not been followed. The exhibition runs 21 November to 12 December 2026 at Southwark Park Galleries, installed salon style. This year's judge, artist Sin Wai Kin, will award a £500 prize towards a solo exhibition in the Salter Space in autumn 2027, announced at the closing event on 12 December. All works must be for sale at no more than £1,000; the artist receives 55% of the sale price.

Who can apply

• United Kingdom only
• Medium: Painting / Drawing / Sculpture / Printmaking / Textile / Photography / Mixed Media / Ceramics / Video
• Entry fee: £20
• Artists must be 16 years+ and living or working in the UK. Fees, paid by card with the online submission (or in cash or cheque on the delivery days): 1 artwork £20 (concessions £15), 2 artworks £30 (concessions £25); concessions are full-time students, 65 years+, unemployed and/or in receipt of benefits, and Bermondsey Artists' Group artists. If a work cannot be displayed for a reason stated in the guidelines, the fee is refunded minus administrative fees. Up to 2 works per artist; 2D works max 80 x 80 cm including frame, 3D works max 80 x 80 x 80 cm including plinth; ready to hang without adaptation with fittings attached, labelled on the back with name and title; no diptychs, no clip frames, no food or perishable items, sculpture fully assembled. One image per work, JPG or PNG, no more than 1200 x 1200 pixels or 3MB, titled Surname_First Name_Artwork Title. Moving image: max 1 work (plus one 2D or 3D work, 2 works in total), max 5 minutes including credits, .mov or .mp4; files over 1GB are sent by WeTransfer, Dropbox or Google Drive link to open@southwarkparkgalleries.org. 2D and 3D works must be delivered in person to the Lake Gallery on 6 to 8 November, 11am to 4pm, and collected in person on 13 to 14 December, 11am to 4pm, with proof of ID or the submission receipt; no postal entries or collections, no late deliveries, uncollected works will be disposed of. No artist is permitted on site during installation. If the exhibition is oversubscribed, at least one work by each entrant is shown. All works must be for sale at no more than £1,000, with 55% to the artist. Submissions can also be made in person on the delivery dates for anyone who needs assistance.