Open Call

Discerning Eye Exhibition 2026

Deadline
Aug 27, 2026
Location
United Kingdom / London
Application fee
Paid
Reward / Stipend
Cash prizes + Exhibition
Who is this for
UK resident artists

Summary

Overview

The Discerning Eye Exhibition 2026 is an open call for UK artists to submit small-scale original artworks across various mediums for consideration. Selected works will be featured in a distinctive physical exhibition at London's Mall Galleries, curated by six prominent art world figures, alongside a virtual showcase. All submitted works must be for sale, and artists get the opportunity to exhibit alongside established names.

What selected participants may receive

  • Exhibition in a physical showcase at Mall Galleries
  • Featured place in a virtual exhibition
  • Cash prizes including £2,500 Founder's Prize, £1,000 Chair's Purchase Prize
  • 500 discipline-specific prizes (Sculpture, Drawing, Photography, Print, Landscape, Portrait, Cityscape)
  • Parker Harris Prize: one-year subscription to The Art Ladder mentoring program
  • Direct sales access to collectors and market tastemakers

Eligibility

  • Artists resident in the UK
  • Works must be original creations by the artist
  • Maximum 50 cm in any dimension (including frame or stand)
  • All submitted works must be for sale
  • Acceptable mediums: Painting, Drawing, Sculpture, Printmaking (iPad prints included), Photography, Landscape, Portrait, Cityscape

Fees

  • Application fee: £15 per work
  • Other costs: Not specified

Key dates

  • Deadline: Thursday, August 27, 2026, 5:00 PM
  • Notification: Wednesday, October 5, 2026
  • Exhibition dates: November 13 – 21, 2026
  • Prize Giving: Thursday, November 12, 2026

Application materials

  • High-quality digital images
  • Title, Medium, Year, Dimensions (cm), Price

Additional notes

  • Six independent selectors: Hugh Bonneville, Dr. Jasmine Pradissitto, Jon Sharples, Kelvin Okafor, Martin Robinson, Mel Gerlis
  • Regional hand-in locations: Edinburgh, Newcastle, Bristol, London
  • Maximum six entries per artist