Organizer Information
The Discerning Eye is an educational charity established in 1990 to encourage a wider understanding of the visual arts. The exhibition is renowned for its unique structure, featuring six small exhibitions curated independently by six prominent figures—including artists, collectors, and critics—rather than a committee.
Title & Description
Discerning Eye Exhibition 2026.
This is one of the most distinctive open exhibitions in the British art calendar, providing a platform for lesser-known artists to hang alongside internationally recognized names. Each of the six selectors curates their own section, selecting at least 33% of their works from the open submission. The 2026 edition culminates in a physical showcase at the Mall Galleries in London and a virtual gallery featuring shortlisted works.
Categories
All Mediums, including Painting, Drawing, Sculpture, Printmaking (including iPad prints), Photography, Landscape, Portrait, and Cityscape.
Eligibility
- Location: Open to all artists resident in the UK.
- Size Restriction: Works must be no larger than 50 cm in any dimension, including the frame or stand.
- Sales: All submitted works must be for sale.
- Originality: Works must be an original creation by the artist.
Program Benefits and Awards
- Exhibition: A physical showcase at the Mall Galleries and a featured virtual exhibition.
- Prizes: A wide range of cash awards and mentoring, including:
- The Discerning Eye Founder’s Prize: £2,500.
- The Discerning Eye Chair’s Purchase Prize: £1,000.
- Discipline-Specific Prizes: £500 each for Sculpture, Drawing, Photography, Print, Landscape, Portrait, and Cityscape.
- Parker Harris Prize: A one-year subscription to The Art Ladder mentoring program (worth £600).
- Sales Opportunity: Direct access to new collectors and art market tastemakers.
Fees
- Entry Fee: £15 per work. Artists may enter up to six works.
Application Requirements
- Digital Submission: Online registration via ArtOpps with high-quality digital images.
- Details: Title, Medium, Year, Dimensions (in cm), and Price.
- Image Guidelines: Images should clearly show the work; the frame should only be included if it is an integral part of the art.
How to Apply?
Register and pay through the official Discerning Eye entry portal. Once registered, upload images to the "My Entries" area. Apply to Discerning Eye 2026.
Key Dates
- Deadline for Entry: Thursday, August 27, 2026, at 5:00 PM.
- Notification of Results: Wednesday, October 5, 2026.
- Exhibition Dates: November 13 – 21, 2026.
- Prize Giving: Thursday, November 12, 2026.
Location
United Kingdom, London (Mall Galleries).
Additional Details
The 2026 selectors include actor Hugh Bonneville, artist/scientist Dr. Jasmine Pradissitto, IP lawyer Jon Sharples, hyper-realist artist Kelvin Okafor, journalist Martin Robinson, and art market correspondent Mel Gerlis. Selected works can be handed in at regional hubs in Edinburgh, Newcastle, and Bristol, or directly in London.