The theme for the upcoming LGBT+ History Month 2023 in February is ‘Behind the Lens’ and to celebrate we would like to invite our members to exhibit artworks at Bishopsgate Institute at the end of February.
 
This is an exciting opportunity to showcase your artwork to the public and contribute to an organisation with a steep history connected to the LGBTQ+ community. 
 
We’re looking for a variety of artworks depicting your experiences of being part of the older LGBTQ+ community and/or what LGBT History Month means to you – this can be a photograph, graphic, painting etc. and you do not necessarily need to adhere strictly to the 'Behind The Lens' theme.
 
We cannot accept anything 3-D or anything that includes sexual, violent or offensive descriptions or imagery. 

Opening Doors was previously involved with Southwark's Queer Arts Week, when Hackney Art Group lead volunteer Philippa curated the artworks at The Art Academy London. This short video shows its highlights and hopefully some inspiration, in particular at 1'16 where you can see the exhibited artworks.

Our full LGBT+ History Month 2023 programme will be announced in our February listings.
 
We also request that alongside your artwork you include: 

• Your full name 
• A full description of the piece and its connection to the LGBTQ+ community (100 words max) including the year it was created
• A hi-res photo and short bio - this will be included in our programme which will be available on our website, with physical copies at the exhibition
• Whether you are happy to donate the item to Opening Doors or not*

PLEASE NOTE: 

• The artwork will be exhibited during the last week of February – dates TBA
• The exhibition will be hosted by staff and volunteers during core hours throughout the week (TBC)
• You can deliver your artwork in person to our office in Holloway every Tuesday afternoon from Tuesday 2 January 2022, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm; our address is Opening Doors, Unit 4.1b Resource for London, 356 Holloway Road, London N7 6PA
• You can email hi-res electronic artwork pieces to [email protected]
• We cannot accept submissions after 5:00 pm, Friday 23 January
• There is also the option to post your artwork, however, you will need to collect your item from our office in person once the exhibition is completed
• We cannot guarantee that your piece will be selected for the exhibition but will do our very best to include as much artwork as possible
• We will be in touch with those directly whose artwork has been selected with further details - there is an additional offer of assisting with the hanging your artwork
• *Artwork that is donated can then be sold for fundraising purposes with all profits going to Opening Doors
• We will arrange a date for when you can pick up your artwork if you decide not to donate it to us
• By exhibiting your artwork with us, you also agree for us to use your piece for marketing purposes to promote the exhibition
• We will be hosting a launch event at Bishopsgate Institute which you will be invited to attend to mark the occasion with our partners, members and volunteers 
• For all enquires, please email [email protected]