Shrewsbury Arts Trail Open Exhibition 2026

Exhibition Dates: Saturday 4th July – Monday 31st August

Now in its sixth year the Shrewsbury Arts Trail Open Exhibition invites submissions from artists working in all mediums to showcase their creativity and talent. This inclusive exhibition celebrates the diversity of artistic practice, offering a platform for both emerging and established artists from Shrewsbury and beyond.

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We welcome entries in painting, prints, ceramics, sculpture, photography, textiles, digital art, and mixed media.

Selected works will either be exhibited at Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery or in the Community Gallery at The Parade Shopping Centre, with prizes for the Judges Choice and the People’s Choice awarded to exceptional works.

 

Key Dates:

• Applications Open: Monday 16th February

• Entry Deadline: Saturday 16th May 6.00 pm

• Selected Artists Announced: Friday 22nd May to Tuesday 26th May

• Delivery of Artwork:

  • All artwork must be delivered to Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery on either: Saturday 27th June or Tuesday 30th June between 10.00 am and 4.00 pm

• Exhibition Private View for Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery (by invitation): Friday 3rd July

• Exhibition Private View for The Parade Shopping Centre (by invitation): date TBC

• Artwork Collection:

  • Unsold works exhibited at Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery must be collected from there on either: Friday 4th September or Saturday 5th September between 10.00 am and 4.00 pm

  • Unsold works exhibited at The Parade must be collected from there by visiting Studio 67 on the lower level from Wednesday 2nd September to Friday 5th September between 10.30 am and 5.00 pm.

 

Entry Requirements

• The exhibition is open to artists of any age

• Work can include painting, prints, ceramics, sculpture, photography, textiles, digital art, and mixed media

• Work must have been created within the last three years and not previously exhibited as part of the Shrewsbury Arts Trail

• All artwork must be available for display for the full duration of the exhibition

• By entering this exhibition, you agree to adhere to all the key dates specified

• By completing the entry form you agree to the terms and conditions of this exhibition

 

Submission Process

• Submissions must be made via the online form using the link provided by the deadline of Saturday 16th May 6.00 pm

• An image file of each work submitted must be emailed to shrewsburyartstrail2023@gmail.com

• Images of artwork must be high resolution (JPG or PNG)

• Each image file must be titled: Surname, First Name. Title of Work
  e.g. Picasso, Pablo. Guernica

• The details should match the information provided on the submission form

 

Entry Fees

• 1 entry: £10

• 2 entries: £15

• 3 entries: £18

• And then, £8 for each additional entry

Entry fee payments should be made at the time of submission using the PayPal link in the Submission Form. All entry fees are non-refundable.

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Selection of Artwork

Artwork will be selected for the exhibition by a panel based on their assessment of its quality, interest and artistic merit. Successful artists will be notified by email where each piece of their work will be exhibited (either Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery [SMAG] or The Parade).

It is sometimes necessary to relocate artworks when hanging commences. Artists will be notified by email if any of their work is relocated.

 

Artwork Presentation

• All artwork must be professionally presented and ready to hang or display.

• Framed works for hanging at SMAG should be fitted with mirror plates approximately 1/3 down from the top of the frame

• Framed works for hanging at The Parade should be fitted with D rings approximately 5 cm from the top of the frame

• Works that are unframed or presented unconventionally must include detailed hanging or display instructions.

 

Delivery of Selected Artwork

Artists must deliver selected works to Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery on either: Saturday 27th June or Tuesday 30th June between 10.00 am and 4.00 pm

All works must be labelled with the artist’s name, title of work and selling price or NFS.

Abstract work must include details of the correct hanging orientation

If you are unable to deliver in person, you may send a representative or arrange courier delivery.

All packaging must be removed and taken away by the person delivering the artwork.

 

Sale of Artwork

A commission of 40% will be taken on all sales during the exhibition. If artists would like to sell their work each item should be priced to include this commission.

It is not permitted for artists to make private sales of their submitted artwork during the exhibition dates. All artwork sold during this period must be processed through Shrewsbury Arts Trail CIC

Work that is not for sale must be clearly identified as NFS on the Submission Form

If possible, sold work will remain on display until the end of the exhibition.

Artists will receive payment for sales within 30 days of the exhibition close date.

 

Collection of Unsold Artwork

Unsold works exhibited at Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery must be collected from there on either Friday 4th September or Saturday 5th September between 10.00 am and 4.00 pm.

Unsold works exhibited at The Parade must be collected from there by visiting Studio 67 on the lower level from Wednesday 2nd September to Friday 5th September between 10.30 am and 5.00 pm.

 

If you cannot collect your work during these times, please contact the organisers in advance to arrange an alternative collection date.

A third party or courier can collect on your behalf, but you must notify the organisers in advance and ensure the representative has full details of your work.

Please ensure your work is appropriately packaged for safe collection if being retrieved by a third party or courier.

 

Important: Artwork that is not collected on the designated dates will need to be moved into storage and may incur storage and/or transportation charges.

Any artwork not collected within one month of the exhibition's close, and where no alternative collection arrangements have been made, will be considered abandoned. The organisers reserve the right to sell or dispose of unclaimed work, with proceeds going towards supporting future exhibitions or local arts initiatives.

If you have any questions regarding collection, contact info@shrewsburyartstrail.com for assistance.

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Insurance

While reasonable care will be taken, artists are responsible for insuring their own work.

 

Data Protection

Personal data collected when you complete a Submission Form is stored on a password protected system and is used solely for communicating with artists and preparing exhibition labels.

All data collected is strictly confidential and is not shared with any third parties.

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Additional Information

Copyright remains with the artist, but by entering, you grant the organisers permission to use images of your work for promotional purposes.

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For more details, including how to submit, visit www.shrewsburyartstrail.com

or email info@shrewsburyartstrail.com

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We look forward to showcasing the creativity and talent of our local and regional artists. If you have any questions or need assistance with your submission, please get in touch at info@shrewsburyartstrail.com