Organizer Information
The Hampstead Art Society is an artist-led organization dedicated to supporting both emerging and established creators. By providing a platform in the heart of London’s prestigious St. James’s district, the Society connects international artists with influential collectors and galleries. The exhibition is curated with a focus on technical excellence and artistic integrity, continuing a tradition of championing the visual arts in one of the world's most significant art hubs.
Title & Description
Hampstead Art Society Summer Exhibition 2026.
This high-profile international open call offers artists the chance to exhibit over two floors at Gallery 8 on Duke Street, St. James’s. The exhibition is strictly focused on traditional and tactile media, celebrating the "understated power" of composition and surface. This year’s event will also feature works by the significant British artist Winifred Nicholson (1893–1981), providing a unique historical context for the contemporary works on display. With over £10,000 in total prizes and awards, the exhibition serves as a major milestone for artists looking to reach an international audience in London’s most prestigious gallery district.
Categories
Visual Arts, Painting, Drawing, Sculpture, Printmaking, Etching, and Mixed Media.
Eligibility
- Open to International and UK-based artists aged 18 and over.
- Open to all styles, from emerging to established practitioners.
- Accepted Mediums: Painting, drawing, original prints, etching, mixed media, and sculpture.
- Exclusions: Photography and digital art of any description are not accepted.
- Maximum size: 2 metres (including frame).
Program Benefits and Awards
- Main Cash Prize: £3,000.
- The People’s Choice Awards:
- The Tuscany Prize: A six-night immersive art retreat at Rignana Estate (Value: £2,250).
- The Venice Prize: A four-night plein air painting trip (Value: £2,000).
- Specialized Awards: Michael Harding Best Young Artist and Watercolour Prizes, Cass Art Award, and the Daler-Rowney Prize.
- Exhibition: Showcase work in St. James’s, London, during a week-long public exhibition.
- Sales: All exhibited work must be for sale (40% commission applies).
- PR: Inclusion in the exhibition catalogue and potential reproduction in marketing materials.
Fees
- Entry Fees: * 1st and 2nd entries: £14 each.
- 3rd and 4th entries: £12 each.
- 5th and 6th entries: £10 each.
- Note: All entry fees are non-refundable.
Application Requirements
- Digital submission via the official online form.
- High-quality photographs of the artwork (as judging is conducted digitally).
- Details for each work: Title, medium, and dimensions (including frame).
- Constraints: Up to 6 works may be submitted per artist. Frames must not detract from the work or add excessive dimensions.
How to Apply?
Artists must complete the digital submission form and pay the entry fee via the Hampstead Art Society portal.
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: May 5, 2026.
- Longlist Announcement: May 20, 2026.
- Shortlist Announcement: May 26, 2026.
- Delivery (In Person): July 2 – 4, 2026.
- Exhibition Dates: July 5 – 12, 2026.
- Collection of Work: July 12 – 14, 2026.
Location
United Kingdom, Gallery 8, 8 Duke Street St. James’s, London, SW1Y 6BN.
Additional Details
International artists are responsible for all shipping costs, including customs duties. Works cannot be removed before the end of the exhibition. The decision of the judges is final. A talk coinciding with the exhibition will be organized at Gallery 8 (details forthcoming).