Featuring over 130 artists, OPEN @ The OFS aims to showcase creators from every stage of their careers. It breaks boundaries in curation and allows artists to see their work interact with others. This interdisciplinary show allows all makers to come forward and offer their work to the salon-style hang. This is our first ever OPEN at the Old Fire Station, and we are already planning our next!

The first Salon was established in 1670 at the Académie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture in Paris, sanctioned by the crown as a semi-public exhibition for recent graduates of the École des Beaux-Arts to display their work for aristocratic participants. The walls were packed with as much work as possible, inspiring viewers to take all they could. The tradition of the Salon Exhibition has been carried on by curators and artists into the Modern Day. The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition and the Annual Open at Southwark Park Galleries are two modern examples of salon shows going strong today!

Unlike the Royal Academy, this exhibition accepted all works* submitted, allowing everyone to showcase their creativity. Without a judging panel or selection criteria, this exhibition aims to uplift all artists from all backgrounds, regardless of academic merit!

We hope you enjoy this exhibition; thank you to every Artist who made it possible by sharing your work with us!

Art is for everyone. Everyone has Potential.

If you’d like to support an artist by purchasing their work, don’t hesitate to contact the Box Office. Please note that all works sold will be available for collection once the exhibition has ended.

*All works were accepted unless they breached the terms and conditions of the Open Call.

Exhibitions are free to attend!