Painted Walls | Open Call

Artists and the walls they’ve painted

As part of Art Fest 2026, we’re inviting artists to share the story of a wall they have painted. This is an artist-only open call.

We want you to send us an image of your wall that could be a mural, piece of graffiti or other painted public artwork that you created and tell us the story behind it.

It could be the first piece you ever painted, a moment that changed your practice, an unsanctioned piece in a hard to reach spot, a mural that had the public interact with it in a special way, a piece you are particularly proud of, a wall that was difficult to make happen, or simply one that holds a strong memory for you.

Open Form

• What should I submit?

  • A photograph of a public artwork that you painted

  • The location of the work (What Three Words)

  • Is it still there?

  • When you painted it

  • Your story about the wall and why you chose it

  • Your name / artist name

  • Your Instagram, website or portfolio link

• What should I write about?

  There are no right or wrong answers.

  You might want to tell us:

  • Why you chose this particular wall

  • How the opportunity came about

  • What was happening in your life or practice at the time

  • Who you met while painting it

  • Any challenges or unexpected moments

  • What the work means to you now

  • Whether it changed the direction of your practice

  Your story can be short or long although please do not go over 500 words.
  
  We’re more interested in the personal story behind the work than a formal description of the artwork.

• Who can submit?

  This project is specifically for artists and creative practitioners who have painted work in public space.

  The wider public cannot submit to this open call.

• Does the wall need to be in Nottingham?

  No.

  The wall can be anywhere in the world, as long as it is a piece of work that you created.

• Do I need permission to share the image?

  Yes.

  By submitting, you confirm that the artwork is your own and that you have the right to share the photograph with Art Fest for use in the exhibition and associated promotion.

  If someone else took the photograph, please make sure you have their permission to share it and provide their name so we can credit them.

• What will happen to my submission?

  Selected photographs and stories will be printed and displayed as part of the Art Fest 2026 exhibition at The People’s Hall.

  Together, the submissions will create a collection of the stories behind artists’ walls; not just what was painted, but what it took to make the work happen.