General Information
Our Annual Printmaking Competition highlights wide range of printmaking techniques, honoring excellence in contemporary and traditional practices.

There are three stages to the application process:

1. Submit your application to the OLIST Site.
2. Successful applicants will be chosen and included in a 10-week virtual and physical exhibition at our beautiful Art Gallery, located in the Ironbridge UNESCO World Heritage site.
3. Prize Winners will be announced at the exhibition opening evening held on the 7th September.
    

Eligibility

• Printmakers must reside in the United Kingdom
• Submissions must be one of the following Printmaking methods:

          Intaglio: Drypoints and all types of etchings including: Aquatints on copper, zinc, steel, and aluminum 

          Mezzotint

          Photo-Etching: Solar plate, Dry Film, Photogravure, Photo Emulsion

          Collagraphs: Collage, card cut-out, carborundum, and Tetra-pack.

          Relief Plates: Lino, woodcut, woodblock, multi-plate, and reductions.

          Monotypes and Monoprints

          Lithography

          Mokulito

          Viscosity Printing

          Letterpress

          Gelli Plate Printing

          Cyanotype

          Silkscreen

          Gyotaku Printmaking

          Botanical Transfer Printing

          Printmaking Collage (Using any of the above Printmaking Processes)

Submission Procedure
Submission is by online entry only. Please click on the link from our website and follow the instructions...
 

Pricing
Work selected for exhibition will be expected to be for sale. 40% Commission is charged by the gallery. It will be assumed that the sale price includes the cost of any frame and our commission. Please allow for these points when pricing your work. Prices should include VAT if applicable. If you are VAT registered, please provide a VAT number in the box provided. 
 

Communications
All communication will be by email or via the online login process. Applicants will be required to log in to the OLIST after the 12th July 2024 to see if they have been selected for the Exhibition and will be asked to download and print their application details to be delivered with the artwork. Failure to do so could result in work being withdrawn from the exhibition. 
 

Selection
The Selection Committee will select the works for the exhibition. The Selectors will consider all correctly completed submissions. The decision of the Selectors on all matters is final and no correspondence will be entered into. 
 

Insurance
Artists are responsible for insuring their own work. All works accepted for exhibition will be displayed entirely at the artists' risk and organisers and the gallery will not accept liability for loss or damage occurring during the exhibition, storage, or transit.

Delivery and Collection:

• Artists are responsible for delivering and collecting their work from the Gallery.
• All packaging materials must be removed after delivery, as no gallery storage is available. These materials must be brought back for collection.

Using an Overnight Courier:

• Ironbridge Fine Arts can accept artwork deliveries via overnight courier service such as Royal Mail, DHL, FedEx, Mail Chimp, Parcel Hero, APC etc.
• Ironbridge Fine Arts will unpack the items upon arrival; however, packaging cannot be kept.
• If your artwork is not sold during the exhibition, Ironbridge Fine Arts can package the item for a fee of £12. You will need to arrange your own courier for collection.
• Alternatively, Ironbridge Fine Arts can package and deliver your artwork to a UK address for a total cost of £26.

Important:

• Artwork not collected at the stated times will incur a daily charge of £10.
• Any uncollected work will be disposed of after one week.

Labels
Artists must download a completed application form and completed labels from OList Login to attach to their selected artworks when delivering artworks

Can the application be completed by a 3rd party?
Applications can be completed by a third party however you must have the artist's permission and the Artist must still be alive.

Does a Tryptic/diptych count as a single entry? 
Yes, diptych and triptychs can be entered as a single entry. For the image of the work submitted please ensure this shows the full piece not just a single part. If work is selected for exhibition/competition finalist then please provide a diagram along with the artwork showing the hanging order for our curation team.

Are Giclee Prints of Fine Art Reproductions accepted?
All work must be the Original work and not a Fine Art Reproduction, Giclee Prints, or Photographs.

Helpful Hints for Photographing Your Artwork.

• We highly recommend having your work scanned to create a high-resolution digital file for entering the competition.

If photographing your artwork: 

• Photos can be taken framed or unframed however photos are best taken prior to any glazing to avoid reflection
• Avoid harsh and bright lights that wash the workout or cause shadows and distort the image. Natural daylight works the best; try placing your work next to an open doorway
• Always photograph the work straight on and in perspective such as standing above the work and looking squarely at the work. Do not submit images of work with a distorted perspective as this does not give a clear or true representation of the work.
• Use a tripod with your camera to stabilise the image and avoid movement/blurring of the image.
• Do not manipulate or edit the photos – If work is digitally enhanced it is not a true representation of your work. If it is apparent that work has been manipulated digitally compared to viewing the original Artwork it may be refused from the biennale and entrance fees will not be refunded.

What type of file can be uploaded and what size should it be?

The image uploaded must be either a JPEG file or PNG and must be between 1 and 4 MB

Is there a maximum Artwork size and does this include the frame?

The maximum Artwork size accepted is 70cm x 70cm (including the frame). The image dimensions entered in your application must be the final frame size including Height, Width, and Depth.

Will the work be shown online as well as in the physical exhibition?

All successful work will be shown online in a virtual exhibition as well as the physical exhibition. 

Can extra or alternative work be handed in for the exhibition?

No only work that has been submitted and successfully accepted can be given for the exhibition, we cannot take any alternatives or additional pieces.

Framing Stipulations

The work must be framed to a minimum of Level 2 Conservation level using a minimum Level 2 conservation level materials and processes – to find a Fine Art Trade Guild-approved framer you can visit https://www.fineart.co.uk . Frames must be free from bits under glass, blemishes, dinks or marks. Framing fixtures must be D-rings and cord, strap hangers, or Mirror plates. The gallery curators can change these fittings so they are fit for purpose and you may not get the original fittings back.

Agreement
By submitting to the exhibition you are deemed to accept and agree to the following:
The decision of the Selectors on all matters Is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
I understand that The Organisers reserve the right to make such changes to the exhibition arrangements and these Terms & Conditions as may be deemed necessary by circumstances.
I authorise The Organisers To process, store, and utilise the data in my submission and agree that, if selected for exhibition, images of my work can be freely used by The Organisers, The Gallery and associated organisations for promotional and publicity purposes.
All information provided by me is true and accurate and that the work submitted is wholly of my own creation.
I have read and understood these terms and conditions and by submitting this application I accept and agree to observe all the Terms And Conditions therein.

If you need any technical support when entering the competition please contact lori@oess.uk with your questions and include any relevant screenshots. Lori will get back to you as soon as possible to help resolve the issue.

 

Please Note: The above terms and conditions are provided by the exhibition organisers.

For terms and conditions which apply to the use of the OESS entry system please view below:
OESS Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy