OPEN CALL
SUMMER EXHIBITION 2026
OPEN CALL
All disciplines considered, every artist included.
Our Summer Exhibition is now in its eighth year and is a highlight in the gallery calendar. We invite you to submit up to two pieces of work and guarantee that at least one piece of your work will be included. We attract experienced professional artists as well as those at the beginning of their practice, and it is always a wonderful and eclectic show to be part of. There are some differences this year, so please read the terms and conditions carefully.
Theme: Common Ground
We are far more united and have far more in common than that which divides us.” Jo Cox
The challenge this year is to respond to the theme of 'COMMON GROUND' - however loosely observed; be it a love of nature, humour, beauty or any shared passions - let's celebrate what we have in common rather than that which divides us. (Of course - you could always take it more literally and explore your local common ground).
Nick Evans Prize
We are delighted to announce that our original Creative Associate Emeritus is sponsoring a prize this year. All work exhibited in The Halpern Gallery for the Summer Exhibition will be eligible. Gold award £250 and Silver award £100. Prizes to be awarded on 31 July 2026 at 6.30pm.
Judging panel: to be announced.
The Summer Exhibition will take place in The Halpern Gallery, Chatham
Please submit your piece/s digitally for a fee of £15. At least one piece from each artist will be included. 25% commission on sales.
The exhibition will run from 31st July - 1st September 2026.
Delivery Date: 29th July 4pm - 5:30pm & 30th July 10am - 12pm.
Location: The Halpern Gallery, Chatham
Collection Date: 2nd September, 10am - 4pm
Location: The Halpern Gallery, Chatham
Submissions by midnight on 14th July.
You will be notified on or before 21st July.
By submitting to the Summer Exhibition Open Call you are confirming that you have read and agree to both the Open Call terms and conditions and Summer Exhibition terms and conditions below:
Summer Exhibition Terms and conditions
Submissions open: 2nd June 2026
Closing date: 14th July 2026, midnight
Artists notified: On or before Tuesday 21st July
Artwork delivery date: Wednesday 30th July, 1pm - 5pm OR Thursday 31st July 10am - 12pm.
Artwork delivery location: The Halpern Gallery, Chatham
Private View: Friday 31st July 5pm - 8pm at the Halpern Gallery, Chatham
Exhibition dates: 31st August - 1st September 2026
Artwork collection date: 2nd September 10am - 4pm from The Halpern Gallery Chatham
Entry requirements:
1. Artists need to be 18 or over
2. Entries will be accepted in 2D or 3D medium, including photography. AI generated artwork is not accepted.
3. Artwork supplied must be original and created by the artist(s) named in the application.
4. Please submit work created in the last year.
5. Artwork does not have to be for sale but it must be displayed for the duration of the exhibition.
6. Size: we reserve the right to open negotiations if artworks submitted are too large.
7. Nucleus Arts will take 25% commission on all sales (20% commission for Nucleus Artists & Creative Associates).
8. There is a £15 fee for up to two submissions of which at least one piece will definitely be included in the exhibition.
9. Entry is taken as consent to reproduce entrant’s artwork for publicity purposes.
Entry Process:
10. Enter via Nucleus Arts website.
11. Complete the online application form below, attaching one hi-res digital photo per piece.
12. Payment can be made via the online Jotform.
Please note: Due to the increasing popularity of this exhibition we have had to put a limit to how many artists we can display. So the earlier you submit the better, as there is a possibility that the submissions will close when the limit is reached.
General Open Call Terms and Conditions
Click here to read.
Your submission to the Summer Exhibition 2026 Open Call indicates your agreement to these Terms, both the Summer Exhibition Terms written above, and the General Open Call Terms which can be viewed by following the ‘Click here to read’ link above.
