Open call - Echoes of Bodmin - for Bodmin Riding and Heritage Festival

Building on the success of our open call for the Flamm Festival we are delighted  to invite submissions for a special fundraising community exhibition to celebrate this year’s Bodmin Riding & Heritage Festival.

We are calling this fundraising exhibition Echoes of Bodmin, Where Bodmin’s past walks through the present

The historic Riding dates back to the 1400s — a ceremonial procession where Bodmin’s past is brought to life through costume, story and tradition. We’re asking artists to respond to these echoes of history — from folklore and legend to landscape, place and imagination.

 Who can take part?

This open call is:

• Open to artists aged 16 and over

• Suitable for both emerging and established artists

Artwork Requirements

Artists are invited to submit one artwork in one of the following formats:

• A4 (21 × 29.7 cm)

• 30 × 20 cm

whichever format that best suits the artist;s practice.

All forms of practice are welcome — including painting, print, textile, drawing, photography, pastels, ceramics, glass, sculpture and mixed media. There is no expectation of a particular medium, style or approach.

Theme:

The theme of Echoes of Bodmin can draw on:

·        local history and heritage

·        folklore, legend, and myth

·        landscape, atmosphere, and sense of place

·        Bodmin’s medieval character and the Riding

·        memory, feeling, or personal connection

·        imaginative, symbolic, or abstract interpretations

We welcome a broad range of creative responses and encourage artists to interpret the theme freely and imaginatively.

Exhibition & Sales

• All artworks will be exhibited anonymously

• All works will be sold at a fixed price of £45

• The artist’s name will be shared with the buyer after purchase

• By submitting, artists agree to donate their work as part of this fundraiser

 Key Dates

• Submission form deadline: Saturday 6th June

• Artwork drop-off deadline: Saturday 20th June

Delivering Artwork

Artwork must be delivered to:

Bodmin Gallery & Creative Studio

Drop-off times: Monday to Saturday, 10am – 4pm

Please ensure your work is:

• Ready to exhibit

• Clearly labelled (full instructions will be provided after submission)

How to Take Part

1.    Email gallery@bodmincraetivestudio.co.uk to regfister interest and ask for a submission form

2. Complete the submission form

3..    Deliver your artwork by the stated deadline

Content & Display Guidelines

All submitted work will be publicly displayed as part of Echoes of Bodmin. By taking part, contributors confirm that their work is suitable for a general audience.

We reserve the right not to display work that includes:

• Hate speech or discriminatory content

• Explicit sexual content

• Content intended to harass, threaten or harm

• Material that is unlawful or unsafe

Final decisions on display will be made at the discretion of the organisers.

 Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to frame my work?

No — but your work must be ready to exhibit. This could include simple framing, mounting, or a method of hanging/display suitable for a gallery setting.

Can I submit any medium?

Yes — we welcome a wide range of media including painting, drawing, print, textile, photography and small 3D work.

Can I submit more than one piece?

No — we are asking for one piece per artist to allow as many people as possible to take part.

What happens if my work sells?

All works are sold for £45 as part of this fundraiser. Proceeds support Bodmin Gallery & Creative Studio’s community programmes. The buyer will be informed of the artist’s name after purchase.

Will my name be displayed?

No — all works are exhibited anonymously during the show to encourage visitors to connect directly with the artwork.

Will all submitted work be exhibited?

We aim to include as many works as possible but reserve the right not to display work where necessary (for example, space or content considerations).