spudOPEN 2026: CROSSROADS AND OTHER JUNCTIONS

 

At every moment, we find ourselves at a crossroads — between choices, identities, places, and possibilities. Crossroads and Other Junctions invites artists to explore these charged points of meeting and transition: where paths intersect, diverge, collide, or quietly overlap.

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This theme is an open field. It might emerge through stories of migration, personal turning points, cultural exchange, or the layered histories embedded in a single place. It could be found in physical junctions — roads, borders, networks — or in the more intangible spaces between ideas, disciplines, or states of being.

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We’re looking for work that lingers in these in-between moments, that questions direction, or embraces uncertainty. Whether your practice maps a clear route or resists resolution altogether, this is a space to reflect on what it means to stand at a point of connection — and to decide, or not decide, what comes next.

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There are two prizes – £500 for the Open Winner and £100 for the Public Choice. Sponsored again by the New Forest National Park Authority.

 

Submitted work can be in any medium (Painting, Textiles, Photography, Print, Text based work, Jewellery, Video, Sculpture, Ceramics, Mixed Media, Poems, illustrations, sound etc.) There is a size limit for each work - maximum scale 100cm x 100cm x 100cm. Work exceeding this will be sadly rejected.

 

Applications are to be made online and the panel will be making its selection digitally. 

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Successful applications will be included in a group show to be held in our celebrated gallery over December/January 2026/27, with a gala public opening and the opportunity to win ‘Best in Show’. The very popular ‘Public Choice award’ will be voted on throughout the show and announced at the end of the exhibition in January. This is all made possible by our sponsor again this year, The New Forest National Parks Authority.

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You can make up to three applications through our online portal @spud.org.uk. Deadline for us to receive your applications is September 25th at Midnight. A successful application will be notified via email by Friday 30th Oct.  If you have not heard by this date, then you can assume that you have not been successful on this occasion. Successful applicants will need to drop off or send work to arrive at SPUD between 23rd or 25th November 2026 (10am-4pm) and collect it between 13th - 15th January 2027 (10am-4pm). 

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Rejections

No one is rejected from our Open, we just can’t select everyone. Even if you do not make it into the final exhibition, you have been an important part of defining the discussions and emerging themes of the show, and your work has been seen by an important art panel. We do want you to feel that all can enter and be part of the SPUD family.

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To enter please complete the simple form below:

 

• Complete title of work, size of work and primary materials e.g. acrylic on canvas

• Fill out the description of your work, you have 30-words to tell us what the work conveys us or demonstrates.  

• If the work is for sale, please include a suggested price including commission (SPUD commission is 20%).  Leave blank if not.

• Upload up to 2 images of the work using the entry form only - a png or jpg will work (max 10mb)

• If you are submitting a film or similar other, you can use the URL box on the entry form to submit a link to a video file, including YouTube, Vimeo etc.

• You will be requested to pay the fee of £10 per entry. Entry charge is per piece of work - maximum 3 pieces of work.  Any entries not paid for will not be accepted.