Baltic showcases region’s ‘incredible talent’

More than 120 artists are set to take centre stage at Baltic as a major open exhibition showcases creative talent from across the North East.

Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead has selected 79 artists for its Baltic Open Submission 2026, alongside 44 young creatives chosen through its first Youth Open Call, supported by Fenwick.

More than 1100 artists and makers from across the region submitted work for consideration, with no formal training, qualifications or previous exhibition experience required.

A panel including internationally renowned artists Laura Lancaster and Rachel Lancaster, Tees Valley Artist of the Year 2025 Will Hughes and Baltic assistant curators Rose McMurray and Rosie Coleman Collier selected the final 79.

Their work will fill Baltic’s Ground Floor gallery from September 19, spanning painting, photography, sculpture, ceramics, film and textiles.

Among those selected is Newcastle collage artist Graeme Hopper, who will also create a bespoke commission for the Lightbox in Baltic’s entrance.

His work Ascetiks strips away surface details from representations of the human face and body to explore identity, appearance and self-evaluation.

Recent Newcastle University Master of Fine Art graduate Kitty McKay will exhibit Public space archive (with keys), featuring drawings etched onto a salvaged bus window as part of a decade-long exploration of unusual moments in public spaces.

North East artist Aysha Tengiz, whose work has previously been exhibited internationally, will show Karaoke Kittiwake, pictured below, a sculpture inspired by the people and wildlife of Newcastle and Gateshead.

Photographer Pete Robinson has meanwhile been selected for work from Harvest from the deep, an 11-year project documenting North Shields’ fishing community and the realities of working at sea.

Fisherman, by Pete Robinson

The exhibition is now in its third iteration and aims to provide visibility for artists and collectives whose work may not previously have reached a public audience.

This year will also see younger artists given a platform through the Baltic Youth Open Call, which invited 11 to 17-year-olds to respond to the theme of “local” through places, stories and viewpoints.

A total of 44 young artists have been selected by Baltic’s Young Producers and artist Terox, who previously featured in the 2024 Open Submission.

Three will receive further recognition through the Fenwick Art Award.

Seventeen-year-old Elizabeth has taken first place for her oil painting Riverside, inspired by an autumn walk in Wooler with her best friend.

Henry, aged 11, and Jason, aged 14, were named runners-up, with all three artists set to have their work displayed at Fenwick’s flagship Northumberland Street store in Newcastle.

Together, the Open Submission and Youth Open Call will bring 123 artworks into Baltic’s gallery.

Rose McMurray, Baltic assistant curator, said: “It has been incredible to see the number of submissions we have received for both the Open Submission and the first year of the Youth Open Call. 

“It is so inspiring to get a glimpse of the incredible talent we have here in the North East, from such a wide range of mediums and perspectives. 

“We’re really looking forward to presenting this exhibition of talented artists, which feels like a real celebration of the people in our region.”

Leo Fenwick, strategic partnerships director at Fenwick, added: “Supporting young talent has always been part of Fenwick’s DNA, with art and creativity being something our customers are truly passionate about. 

“The quality of the work submitted for the exhibition has been outstanding, showcasing some of the brightest emerging talent from the North East and wider UK art scene today.

“We’re incredibly proud to provide a platform for these young artists and to showcase their creative journeys in our Newcastle store, where their work will be displayed in our newly launched Concierge space.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity to bring their work to a wider audience and give these talented artists another platform to share their creativity with the public.”

Visitors will get their first opportunity to see the complete exhibition at a free preview party on September 18, ahead of its public opening the following day.

Baltic Open Submission 2026 will run until April 11, providing a seven-month platform for established, emerging and first-time exhibitors from across the region.

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