CALL FOR ARTISTS
Touchlines of Fortitude

​We invite artists from across the UK to submit work for a powerful and inspiring exhibition taking place during the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup. Rooted in the spiritual home of rugby and supported by Arts Council England, Touchlines of Fortitude is a celebration of female strength, creativity, and empowerment at the intersection of sport and art.

​

Awards

We’re delighted to confirm the prizes for Touchlines of Fortitude Open Call!

Each category winner will receive a £25 Hobbycraft Gift Card, generously provided by our sponsor. These gift cards can be used both in-store and online.

​

Category Prizes

​

• Painting – £25 Hobbycraft Gift Card
   

• Photography – £25 Hobbycraft Gift Card
   

• Sculpture – £25 Hobbycraft Gift Card
   

• Yarn Art – £25 Hobbycraft Gift Card
   

• Print – £25 Hobbycraft Gift Card
   

• Ceramics – £25 Hobbycraft Gift Card
   

• Writing – £25 Hobbycraft Gift Card
   

✨ And finally, our Overall “Best in Show” winner will receive a £100 Hobbycraft Gift Card!

​

Who are the open call judges?

Tabish Khan is an art critic, writer, speaker, podcaster, and curator who passionately believes in making art accessible to everyone. 

Karen Turner is a multi-award-winning figurative artist whose oil paintings challenge bias against larger bodies and explore how cultural expectations limit identity and ambition.

Mark Vellacott is a portrait sculptor and the founder of The Beach gallery in Teddington. 

Agnieszka Lokaj is a contemporary artist and Touchlines of Fortitude curator.

 

See more information on our open call judges >

 

Selected works will be showcased in:

 

 A physical group exhibition at The Beach Gallery, Teddington

 An online exhibition hosted on our website, reaching broader audiences

 

We welcome submissions across all media, including: painting, photography, yarn art, ceramics, sculpture, and mixed media. The work should engage with the central theme of resilience: strength through adversity, personal growth, recovery, persistence, and collective empowerment.

​

Submit your work >>

 

OPEN CALL SCHEDULE
 

Wed 25 Aug: Submission deadline: open-call closes

Wed 27 Aug: Selection by judging panel

Mon 1 Sep: Shortlist announcement

Sun 21 Sep: Delivery of shortlisted artworks to The Beach Gallery, Teddington

Wed 24 Sep: Private view / networking

Thu 25 Sep: Exhibition opens to public

Sun 28 Sep: Meet the artists event

Sun 5 Oct: Exhibition closes

Tue 7 Oct: Collection of unsold works

 

Submission Requirements

 

 Artists may submit up to 3 artworks

 All 2D works must be framed or professionally presented for hanging (no clip frames)

 Images must be JPEG files, max 5MB each, named in the format: `YourName_ArtworkTitle_Size.jpg`

 

Size Guidelines

 

 Paintings/Photography: Max 50 cm height or width

 Sculpture/Ceramics/Textiles: Max 50 cm height or width

 

Submission Fee

 

 £10 for the first artwork

 £20 for 3 artworks

 

This fee is non-refundable and covers admin costs. Selection is not guaranteed.

 

Terms and Conditions

 

 Artists must be aged 18+ and the original creator of the submitted works

 Prices must include a 20% gallery commission

 Works sold during the exhibition or online are subject to this commission

 All works must be delivered and collected by the artist or their representative

 The gallery accepts no liability for loss or damage — artists are advised to insure their work

 By submitting, artists consent to use of their images for marketing and promotion of the exhibition

 Participation in the online exhibition and online sales platform is optional – please notify us if you wish to opt out

 

Selection Process

All works will be reviewed by a curatorial panel. Selection will be based on relevance to the theme, artistic quality, and space constraints. The panel's decision is final.

 

Publicity & Legacy

The exhibition will be promoted via the Touchlines of Fortitude website, social media, newsletters, and local press. Select artworks may be included in an online shop, and the show will form part of the digital archive celebrating the programme.

 

We look forward to receiving your submissions and celebrating the strength and spirit of women through your art!

​

Please read full Terms and Conditions before you apply