Open call: Freshwater to Fatbergs Exhibition
ABOUT
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Artists are invited to submit work for Freshwater to Fatbergs, a group exhibition being held in May 2026 supported by Hunter Water. Entries due 24 March 2026.
The deliberately provocative title of this exhibition is intended to spark curiosity and conversation about water use, water conservation and the pressures facing urban water systems. While freshwater is a precious and carefully managed resource, issues such as fatbergs act as a confronting and highly visible signal of everyday behaviours that undermine water and wastewater infrastructure.
By juxtaposing the value of clean freshwater and healthy catchments with the consequences of misuse, the exhibition creates an accessible entry point for the community to engage with complex water issues including what happens beyond the tap and down the drain.
The exhibition seeks to encourage smarter water use, improve understanding of catchments, highlight the impacts of fats, oils and wipes on sewer systems and promote shared responsibility for protecting water resources now and into the future
Hunter Water’s education resources complement the exhibition and provide practical pathways for audiences to translate awareness into action. The exhibition is free to enter, however inclusion is based on a selective process.
TIMELINE
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Submissions open: December 2025 (scroll down for submission form)
Submissions close: Midnight Tues 24th March 2026
Selected work announced: Thursday 2nd April
Delivery of artwork to NAS: Sunday 12th April 12pm -4pm, 10am – 2pm Wed 15th – Fri 17th April 2026
Exhibition Opening: 6pm – 8pm Friday 8 May 2026
Exhibition Duration: Friday 8th - Sun 31st May
Collection of artwork: 3pm – 4pm Sun 31 May or 10am – 2pm Wed 3rd – Fri 5th June 2026
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ENTRY INFORMATION
ARTWORK REQUIREMENTS
Information you need prior to submissions
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Artwork must respond to the theme.
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All 2D and 3D media are accepted (painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, ceramics, digital media etc)
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Artwork size may be up to but not larger than 150 cm x 100 cm (including the frame), or an equivalent size/area ratio to a maximum of 1.5 square metres.
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Artwork can consist of multiple parts but they must not exceed these overall size limits and must be sold as one artwork.
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Please ensure all 2D works are ready to hang, with D-rings installed.
Unframed works on paper will be pinned to the wall.
HOW TO ENTER
Submissions must be made online using the form below before midnight Tuesday 24th March 2026
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Only one artwork per artist can be submitted.
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There is no fee to submit or exhibit your work.
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Entry is a selective process and submission does not guarantee entry into the show.
Image of your artwork
Uploaded image should be:
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A minimum of 750 pixels on the shortest side
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Saved in .jpg or .png format only
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Preferred file size for each image is no more than 2MB
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The file name must include the artist’s name and title of the work as listed on the entry form e.g.firstname_lastname_titleofwork.jpg.
Communication & privacy
Artists consent to being added to the Newcastle Art Space electronic mailing list for updates and further information on this and other exhibitions run by Newcastle Art Space. Artists details will not be shared and an unsubscribe link is provided in each email.
TERMS & CONDITIONS
Submission Form
Please complete the submission form below, ensuring all details are correct.
Artwork dimensions MUST be entered in cm (not inches or mm).
Should your work be selected, your name and the artwork details you include in this submission form will be used to generate the exhibition catalogue - PLEASE ENSURE THEY ARE CORRECT and keep a record of your artwork details, as we may not be able to accommodate changes. If you wish to receive a copy of your submission please email: admin@newcastleartspace.org.au
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Selection and notification
By submitting this application you are not guaranteed entry into the exhibition.
​While we endeavour to be as inclusive as possible, gallery space is limited and artwork will be selected at the curator's discretion.
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Artists will be notified if their work has been selected for exhibition by personal email on Thursday 2nd April 2026. The selection will also be announced via instagram and published on our website.
If you have submitted more than one work please check our website to confirm which work/s are in the exhibition.
Delivery of works
Selected artworks must be delivered to Newcastle Art Space between:
3pm - 4pm Sunday 12th April
10am - 2pm Wednesday 15th April
10am - 2pm Thursday 16th April
10am - 2pm Friday 17th April
Your work must be delivered to NAS by 2pm Friday 17th April
Work delivered after this date may not be accepted into the show
Delivery via Courier
If the artist wishes to deliver the work via courier freight costs and all other charges relating to delivery and collection of artworks are the sole responsibility of the artist. Artworks will not be accepted unless delivered and returned free of all freight and other charges.
Please note: Works requested to be returned via post will incur a $15 packing fee + cost of postage.
By sending your work to us via post or courier you agree to accept these conditions.
If you are selected and would like to send your artwork please follow these steps:​
- You MUST use either Australia Post or Startrack Express to send your work as Australia Post may refuse deliveries from other couriers.
Please note that the dimensions of your PACKAGED artwork mut not exceed 105cm long or 25kgs.
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- You must address the delivery to our PO Box address, NOT our physical gallery address:
PO Box 12
Waratah NSW 2298
Email: gallery@newcastleartspace.org.au
Phone: 0490 801 630
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If you cannot use a PO Box when making the booking, please use this address:
Suite 12, Shop 9 91 Turton Road
Waratah, NSW 2298
-Email us to let us know you are sending the work via courier & include the tracking number if known: gallery@newcastleartspace.org.au
Work delivered via courier still needs to arrive by 2pm Friday 17th April.
Work delivered after this date may not be accepted into the show.
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Insurance & indemnity
Newcastle Art Space will exercise all due care with the works submitted but will not be responsible for any loss or damage suffered whatsoever to any artwork while in transit or under its control. Each artist shall indemnify Newcastle Art Space against any loss or damage suffered to their artwork whatsoever. Each artist is responsible for their own insurance cover. By submitting this application you agree to these conditions.
Artwork requirements
Artwork delivered to Newcastle Art Space must be CLEARLY MARKED on the reverse with the artist’s name, and the title of the work).
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Sales & commission
Artwork sold at Newcastle Art Space Gallery will attract a 30% commission on sales. Sales will be processed up to 14 days after the close of the exhibition.
Photography & reproduction of artwork
All applicants authorise Newcastle Art Space formally and irrevocably, to capture and publish images of their works free of copyright, totally or partly, in all publications (catalogues, folders, posters, slide shows, brochures etc) related to promotion and documentation of this exhibition, as well as on the Newcastle Art Space website and social media.
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Collection of unsold works
Works not sold during the exhibition period must be collected from Newcastle Art Space during the following times:
3pm – 4pm Sunday 31st May
10am - 2pm Wednesday 3rd June
10am - 2pm Thursday 4th June
10am - 2pm Friday 5th June
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Any artwork not collected after the exhibition are liable to be stored at the artist’s expense and disposed of if not collected within a reasonable timeframe.
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QUESTIONS
If you have any questions regarding your entry, please get in touch with us via gallery@newcastleartspace.org.au
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