Open 25

About the Open Call

The Tarpey Gallery Open 25 is an open call seeking to showcase the best of UK contemporary art from both emerging and established artists. The opportunity culminates in a diverse group exhibition at Tarpey Gallery, one of the Midlands' foremost Commercial Contemporary Fine Art Galleries. Accepted media include paintings, original prints, photography, textiles, drawings, works on paper, and 3D works such as sculpture and ceramics. Submissions were open from June 21st to July 21st, 2025. Judging took place from July 22nd to August 1st, 2025, with selected artists announced on August 2nd, 2025. Selected artworks are to be delivered between August 15th and 18th, 2025. The exhibition officially launches on August 30th, 2025, and runs until October 19th, 2025. Unsold work must be collected from October 22nd to 26th, 2025. The exhibition will display work across three gallery spaces. More modestly sized pieces (up to 1m x 1m) have a higher chance of acceptance, with a maximum size limit of 1.5m. The gallery insures work against loss or damage while on site, but artists are responsible for transit insurance.

What is Offered

Winning submissions will be included in a group exhibition from August 30th to October 19th, 2025. There is a Cash Prize of £250 for the winner, chosen by Gallery Manager Luke Tarpey. Additionally, multiple artists from the Open will be invited to participate in the gallery's exhibition programme for the following year.

Requirements

Entries are open to all artists working in the United Kingdom. Artwork can be on any theme and can use various types of media, including paintings, original prints, photography, textiles, drawings, works on paper, and 3D works (sculpture, ceramics). Pieces up to 1m x 1m have a higher chance of acceptance, with a maximum size limit of 1.5m. Artists must upload good-quality images of their work (2 images per piece: one of the piece and one framed, or a detail/in-situ shot; for 3D work, 2 images from different angles). Images have a 2mb limit and must be at least 1200 pixels wide, with artist names in filenames. All submitted work must be for sale. If selected, work must be delivered in person (preferred) or by post, clearly labeled with Name, Title, Medium, Size, and Price (including Gallery Commission), protected and ready to hang (string preferred). Work must be well-protected for postal delivery and easily re-packable. Artists may submit up to three pieces.

How to Apply

Artists were invited to submit up to three pieces. Applicants needed to upload good-quality images of their work (two images per piece: one of the piece itself and one framed, or a detail shot/in-situ; for 3D work, two images from different angles). Each image had a 2mb limit and needed to be at least 1200 pixels wide, with filenames including the artist's name. Detailed information required included Medium, Size (framed size if applicable), edition number (for prints), and Price (all work must be for sale). Entry fees were £15 for 1 piece, £20 for 2 pieces, and £25 for 3 pieces, which were non-refundable. A 45% commission would be taken on all sales.