The Big Gay Art Show - III edition

Submission deadline: Midnight, 3rd September 2025
Submission link: The Big Gay Art Show 2025
Opening night: Thursday 25th September
Exhibition Dates: 25th September - 25th October 2025
Venue: Café Society, Valletta

Another year, another Big Gay Art Show! 

Once again we have teamed up with Café Society in Valletta to put on an art show to remember! This exhibition has no clear theme, like queerness it refuses to be put into boxes and defined - so surprise us with your unbridled creativity and help us celebrate what makes us all unique! 

Whether it will be your first time exhibiting, or you're an established artist, we welcome you to apply and show us your passion. We want to see how you express the beauty, strength, and emotions of the LGBTQIA+ community in Malta.

 Submission guidelines:

• Eligibility: We accept visual art pieces created by Malta's diverse LGBTQ+ community and allies. If this resonates with you, you qualify :)
• Medium: Bring on the paint, photography, mixed media, digital art, and more! Anything that can be hung on the wall.
• No Theme: We just want to celebrate the unbridled creativity of Malta's queer community up on the walls of Café Society - let's celebrate what makes us all unique! 
• Submission Limit: Show us up to five pieces of your most dazzling work. Pieces may be selected individually and not necessarily as a set.
• Delivery: If chosen, artworks must be provided ready to be hung (e.g. framed) and be delivered between 18th and 22nd September 2025 to il-lokal's studio in Valletta, 203B Old Bakery Street.
• Sales: We will have no auction this year, but you can still sell your work. Persons interested in purchasing your work will be contacting you directly. 
• Communication: We will be in touch after the 9th September with the results of the open call, we will contact you by e-mail sharing all the next steps if your artwork has been selected.

How to submit: 

1. Fill out the SUBMISSION FORM online.
2. Images: It is important to upload high-quality images of your pieces. Labelling each file with your name and the title of the work.
3. We also ask that you specify the year of artwork, dimensions in cm for each artwork (including frame), and the technique/medium of the artwork;
4. Description: Write a brief description (up to 200 words) for the body of work proposed for the exhibition;
5. Artist Bio: Give us a peek into your life with a short bio (up to 100 words); Your social media handles are more than welcome, but optional. 

Important dates:

• Submission deadline: Midnight, 3rd September 2025
• Artist notifications: 9 - 12 September 2025
• Artwork dropoff in Valletta: 18 - 22 September 2025
• Opening party: Thursday, 25 September 2025
• Exhibition: 25 September - 25 October 2025
• Collection of artworks from Valletta: from 28 October 2025

Got questions or need more information? Contact MJ on team@il-lokal.com