Now in its fourth decade, the Discerning Eye Exhibition remains one of the most distinctive open exhibitions in the British art calendar – and the call for entries for its 2026 edition is now open.
This is your chance to show work to six of the art world’s most compelling tastemakers, exhibit at the Mall Galleries in the heart of London, and win prizes across a wide range of categories. All works are for sale, offering the opportunity to reach new collectors and give your work a new home.
The exhibition runs 13–21 November 2026, alongside a virtual gallery showcasing all shortlisted works with commentary by the selectors.
Deadline: Thursday 27 August 2026, 5pm.
What Makes the Discerning Eye Different?
The Discerning Eye is not a typical open exhibition. It is run by an educational charity (established in 1990) with a mission: to encourage a wider understanding and appreciation of the visual arts, stimulate debate about the place and purpose of art in our society, and recognise the contribution each of us can make to its development.
The exhibition comprises both publicly submitted works and works independently selected by six prominent figures from different areas of the art world – artists, collectors, critics and curators.
Each selector curates their own section entirely independently. Selection is not by committee. Each section is hung separately, giving each its own distinctive identity. The impression emerges of six small exhibitions within the whole.
This provides an unusual opportunity for works by lesser-known artists to be hung alongside contributions from internationally recognised names. The only restrictions are:
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Size limitation – only small works are permitted (max 50cm, including frame)
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Each selector must select at least 33% of their section from the open submission
You only need to catch the eye of one selector.
The 2026 Selectors
| Selector | Background |
|---|---|
| Hugh Bonneville | Actor; film credits include Notting Hill, The Monuments Men, Paddington; television includes Downton Abbey (Golden Globe and Emmy nominations) |
| Jasmine Pradissitto | Award-winning London-based artist, scientist, academic and speaker; PhD in physics from UCL; studied at Goldsmith’s |
| Jon Sharples | Commercial IP and art lawyer; recognised for expertise in art world litigation and dispute resolution |
| Kelvin Okafor | Renowned hyper-realist pencil artist; studied at City & Guilds Art School; BA (Hons) in Fine Art |
| Martin Robinson | Head of Culture at the London Standard; journalist and critic for 25 years; former senior positions at NME and ShortList |
| Mel Gerlis | Art market correspondent for the Financial Times (since 2016); former Art Market Editor for The Art Newspaper |
Who Can Enter?
| Criterion | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Artists resident in the UK |
| Career stage | All stages – emerging to established |
| Maximum entries | Up to 6 works |
| Maximum size | 50cm (including frame) |
| Mediums | All eligible – painting, drawing, print, photography, sculpture, mixed media, etc. |
| Originality | All works must be original creations (prints from iPad drawings, photographs, sculptures accepted) |
| Sale requirement | All works must be for sale |
Entry Fees
| Entry | Fee |
|---|---|
| Each work | £15 |
| Maximum (6 works) | £90 |
Artists may initially register for fewer than 6 works and add more later via the My Entries page (before the deadline).
Refunds will not be given for unused entry purchases.
The Prizes
| Prize | Award |
|---|---|
| The Discerning Eye Founder’s Prize (in honour of Michael Reynolds) | £2,500 |
| The Discerning Eye Chair’s Purchase Prize | £1,000 |
| The Mervyn Metcalf Purchase Prize | £500 |
| Adelaide Damoah Purchase Prize | £500 |
| Tabish Khan’s Critic Purchase Prize | £250 |
| The Sculpture Prize | £500 |
| The Cityscape Prize | £500 |
| The Landscape Prize | £500 |
| The Portrait Prize | £500 |
| The Print Prize | £500 |
| The Drawing Prize | £500 |
| The Photography Prize | £500 |
| Parker Harris Prize | One year’s subscription to The Art Ladder mentoring programme + two one-to-one mentoring sessions (worth £600) |
Prizes will be awarded at a prize-giving ceremony at the start of the exhibition (Thursday 12 November 2026).
How to Enter
Step 1: Click ENTER NOW and complete the registration form.
Step 2: Make your payment. You will receive email confirmation and (if new to ArtOpps) login details.
Step 3: Upload your works to the MY ENTRIES area.
Step 4: For each entry, upload an image and provide: Title, Medium, Year, Dimensions (including frame, if framed) and Price.
Images should clearly show the work. You do not need to show the frame unless it is an integral or essential part of the work.
You may edit your entry up until the deadline. After 5pm on 27 August 2026, your application will be automatically entered and cannot be edited.
To add further works (up to 6) after initial registration: go to ENTER NOW, view your MY ENTRIES page, and select ADD ADDITIONAL WORKS.
Key Dates
| Online submission deadline | Thursday 27 August 2026, 5pm |
|---|---|
| Notification of results | Wednesday 5 October 2026 |
| London hand-in of selected works | Friday 6 & Saturday 7 November (10am–5pm); Sunday 8 November (10am–2pm) |
| Regional hand-in (Edinburgh, Newcastle, Bristol) | Dates TBC (around 6–7 November) |
| Private View & Prize Giving | Thursday 12 November 2026 |
| Exhibition open (Mall Galleries & online) | Friday 13 – Saturday 21 November 2026 |
| Handout of unsold works | Wednesday 25 & Thursday 26 November 2026 |
| Online exhibition sales end | Friday 1 January 2027 |
Delivery & Collection
Hand-in times at the Gallery: 10am–5pm (unless otherwise stated)
Uncollected works: Any works not collected after 28 November will be removed from the Mall Galleries and taken into storage at Chelsea Self Storage (Blantyre Street, London, SW10 0EQ). Collection by appointment – charges will apply. Contact Art Moves of Chelsea directly: 020 7352 7492 or artmoveschelsea@aol.com.
Why Enter?
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Unique selection process – six independent tastemakers; you only need to catch one
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Prestigious venue – Mall Galleries, central London
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Small works, big opportunity – 50cm size limit makes shipping and handling manageable
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Generous prize fund – multiple category prizes and purchase prizes
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Virtual gallery – all shortlisted works shown online with selector commentary
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Sales opportunity – all works for sale to collectors
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Charitable mission – supporting art appreciation and debate in the UK
Final Checklist
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Are you a UK resident?
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Is your work (including frame) within 50cm?
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Is it an original creation (no AI)?
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Is it for sale?
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Have you paid £15 per work (up to 6)?
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Have you uploaded all images and completed all details (Title, Medium, Year, Dimensions, Price)?
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Can you hand in selected work to London or a regional centre in early November 2026?
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Can you collect unsold work on 25–26 November 2026?
The Discerning Eye Exhibition 2026
Six selectors | Six exhibitions within one | Mall Galleries, London
Exhibition: 13–21 November 2026 | Online: until 1 January 2027
Max size: 50cm | All works for sale | Open to UK-based artists
Deadline: Thursday 27 August 2026, 5pm
Enter Now via the ArtOpps Online Portal HERE
The Discerning Eye – an educational charity encouraging wider understanding and appreciation of the visual arts, stimulating debate about the place and purpose of art in our society.
