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Bright Lights: Youth Arts Exhibition 2025

Arts Centre Washington is delighted to present an open call to artists aged 11-19 for Bright Lights: Youth Arts Exhibition 2025.

Bright Lights is Arts Centre Washington’s annual youth arts exhibition. For over thirty years we’ve showcased some of the most talented young artists in Washington and the greater Sunderland area. This is an exciting opportunity for 11–19-year-olds to submit their work for display in Arts Centre Washington’s main gallery.

The exhibition is curated by the Celebrate Different Collective, a group of young people aged 13-25 from across Sunderland who, with support from Sunderland Culture, co-produce and run their own cultural events, work with artists and learn new practical skills.

This year the group have decided they would like artists to respond to the theme of ‘What is the future and my place in the world?’ – this can be interpreted in many ways.

Here’s a few suggestions from Celebrate Different Collective about how the theme could be interpreted:

The environment, climate change and overconsumption
The internet, social media and it’s pros and cons
Community, pride and gender euphoria
Hobbies and interests, comfort creatures and fashion
What brings you joy? What influences you? How do you express yourself?

Apply now

Important information

Please read the important information before submitting your work.

Submissions close: Tuesday 14^th January, 5pm

Notification by email: Thursday 23^rd January, 12pm

Delivery of artwork: Thursday 23^rd January – Wednesday 29^th January

Installation: Wednesday 29^th January – Saturday 8^th February

Exhibition: Saturday 8^th February – Saturday 15^th March

Opening night of Bright Lights: Youth Arts Festival 2025: Tuesday 25^th February, 6pm-8pm

Collection of artwork: Tuesday 18^th March – Saturday 22^nd March

Who can enter?

Any artist aged between 11-19 and who lives in Washington or the greater Sunderland area can enter their work.

How many works can I submit?

Artists can submit a maximum of 3 works.

What type of work is eligible?

Two-dimensional media (drawing, painting, photography etc.), sculpture, textile, ceramics, glass and moving image work is eligible for submission.

All works must be an original creation by the artist.

All works must be available to be displayed for the full duration of the exhibition.

How should I present my work?

The maximum dimensions for work is:

2D work – 120x120cm

3D work – 100x100cm

Works should be delivered and collected on the specified delivery and collection days. (See Key Dates)

Please pay close attention to our opening times

Works must be signed in and out by a member of staff at reception.

If you are unable to deliver or collect your work, you may send another person on your behalf.

Delivery

Works should be delivered suitably wrapped, with the name of the artist and artwork attached.

If works are not delivered within the specified delivery days, Arts Centre Washington reserves the right to omit the work from exhibition.

Collection

Works will be returned wrapped.

If works are not collected within the specified collection days, Arts Centre Washington reserves the right to dispose of the work.

How are works selected for exhibition?

The works will be selected by Celebrate Different Collective and the selection will be based upon the quality and originality of the work, as well as the works relation to the themes of the exhibition.

May I ask for feedback?

We are unable to offer feedback due to the high quantity of submissions.

During the course of the exhibition you or your artwork may be photographed or recorded on video. On occasions this material may be used for promotional purposes by Arts Centre Washington or Sunderland Culture.

Arts Centre Washington will not be held responsible for loss of or damage to artworks in getting to and from the venue.

If you require support with your application, please contact:

daniel.appleby@sunderlandculture.org.uk