UPCOMING ARTIST OPPORTUNITIES
Merry Making
Open Call Christmas Exhibition
Exhibition dates: 21 November 2026 – 9 January 2027
Deadline: 27 October 2026
Merry Making – 21 November 2026 – 9 January 2027
Deadline Midnight 27th October
Despite the frustration and hard work in the act of making we can not deny the joy it brings us all. As Merry Making is a joyful, noisy celebration or the act of having fun with others during a festive gathering. We want to celebrate the act of making itself.
Artists are welcome to submit what ever they like so long as it brings them joy or happiness.
We welcome diverse interpretations of the theme, whether literal or abstract, personal or universal.
Alongside larger exhibition works, we will also be accepting submissions of smaller-scale, affordable gift items suitable for the festive season.
Eligible Media
We invite submissions in:
Painting
Sculpture
Ceramics
Jewellery
Glass
Photography
Printmaking
Textiles
Drawing
Mixed Media
Other original artworks and handmade gift items relevant to the theme
All submitted work must be for sale.
Deliveries must be by appointment only, unless arriving by post, but notice of estimated arrival date is much appreciated.
In-person deliveries accepted Monday–Friday only
Postal deliveries can arrive Monday - Saturday, but Saturday deliveries will not be checked until Monday.
Delivery deadline for accepted works is Friday 13th November, although works can arrive earlier of course.
Exhibition Dates: Saturday 21 November 2026 – Saturday 9 January 2027
Under the Bed Sale
Exhibition dates:
Saturday16 January 2027 – Sunday 7 February 2027
Delivery Deadline: Wednesday 13 January 2027
Cupola's famous 'Under The Bed Sale' - call out for work.
This is an unselected call out. We will accept all work sent, however, we reserve the right not to display work that might cause an offence. Artworks sent to Cupola must be original - not reproductions from unique works.
Every year artists and art lovers unite in their delight of Cupola’s Under The Bed Sale. A concept which allows artists to route out from storage no longer loved or early artworks that they would not exhibit and sell them off at bargain prices.
As prices start at under £1 and are capped at £350, art lovers get the chance to find original art works for absolutely bargain prices. And who doesn’t love a bargain?
The concept originated many years ago when the gallery owner, Karen, visited an artist friend, Lyn Hodnett, who proceeded to pull out a load of original artwork quite literally from under her bed.
She was showing it as example of older and early works. When asked if she would exhibit it, she said no, as they were out of date and no longer relevant.
However, when asked if she would sell them, she answered enthusiastically in the affirmative!
Therein lay the problem: how on earth could she sell them if she didn’t want to show them? So, after a bit of discussion between them, they came up with the concept of The Under The Bed Sale. And it has been a riot ever since!
There is a maximum number of works per artist:
100 x unframed (mounted or unmounted)
20 x framed / canvas A3 or smaller
20 x framed / canvas A3 or larger (please call if any are larger than 1mx1m in any direction)
50 x 3D pieces (please call if any are larger than 1mx1m in any direction)
All work needs to come labelled with the artist's name or code (including the artist's initials), the retail price and the title if relevant.
A delivery/consignment note needs to be delivered with the work that lists all items delivered with the artist's full contact details, including a phone number and retail prices. A template is downloadable on the left however it is not necessary so long as we have a complete itemised list with each item listed individually and we have full contact information on the delivery note.
Please download and complete the contract on the left before delivery.
The retail price is worked out as follows:
Wholesale/artist's price x 2.2= retail, including VAT, which the gallery has to charge.
EG: £10 x 2.2=£22 retail (£10 for the artist, £10 for the gallery and the VAT gets £2).
It is essential that artists understand that the work is delivered to the sale entirely at their own risk. Although the gallery will do all it can to keep work safe, due to the sheer number of pieces we get, occasionally accidents happen and the gallery does not accept liability for any work damaged or lost in this sale.
Also the artist is responsible for transporting the work to and from the gallery.
If any sale work remains uncollected one month after the end of the sale (7 Feb 2027), it will be disposed of/given away to charity. If you are happy to offer any unsold work up for a charity auction on the last day (or at a future point), please make a note on your paperwork.
If work needs to be delivered in person it needs to arrive by no later than 13th January 2027. It is essential that appointments are made for the delivery of work 48 hrs in advance by phone - 0114 2852665
Works sent by post need to reach us by the 14th January, but we will consider works sent throughout the sale - please confirm this by phone first.