Each year, the AWOL Studios x Comme Ca Art Open Call brings together a diverse range of artists, celebrating ambitious, curious, and skillful practices.
We’re revisiting our Overall Winner and Highly Commended artist from our first Open Call in 2022 and asking them to reflect on open calls, opportunity, and what it means to have their work seen.
Nerissa Cargill Thompson
Open Call Exhibition Winner 2022
Instagram: @nerissact / Website: www.ncargillthompson.co.uk
1 . What is the importance of events like the Comme Ca Art x AWOL Studios Open Call Exhibition?
Smaller open calls with affordable entry fees are important to me as my work isn’t highly commercial so unlikely to make the fee back in immediate sales but important to get my work out there. I liked that it was specifically North West artists. It is really nice to get into the big open calls like The Manchester Open that is currently on at HOME but very easy to get lost in the sheer amount of work. At Comme Ca Art x AWOL each work chosen felt honoured and raised up. I feel the selected works in previous years have been curious, interesting works produced with a high skill level
2 . What inspired you to enter our Open Call in particular?
It was mainly that part of the prize was working/showing with Comme Ca plus the quality of the external judging panel. It was good to get my work seen by them. Of course the prize money was also great and of a level that didn’t just cover my expenses so I was able, in the spirit of Artist Support Pledge, to spend 20% on adding to my own art collection. Claire at Comme Ca has many connections, a wealth of experience and an enthusiasm for getting artists’ work seen beyond galleries.
3 . Do you have any advice to artists on entering an Open Call?
There are so many open calls that it is important to choose ones that feel like the right opportunity for you as an artist as submission fees and hanging fees can really mount up. Read the details of drop offs/pick ups and hanging requirements especially if you don’t produce standard framed works. Some open calls expect sculptors to provide their own plinth. If possible, check out who is on the judging panel as an element of people’s tastes and interests does play a part. Are these people that you aspire to working with in the future? Take a look at previous year’s to feel the vibe. Could you imagine your work in there? I entered the first Comme Ca Art x AWOL one so I had nothing to go on but thankfully I took the risk.
Matt Davies
Open Call Exhibition Highly Commended 2022
(Instagram: @mattdaviesart )
1 . What is the importance of events like the Comme Ca Art x AWOL Studios Open Call Exhibition?
Every Open Exhibition especially Comme Ca Art /Awol Open Call Exhibition is a great way to showcase your work. I enter because it’s exciting for your work to be seen by judges who consist of curators and professional artists. It is then extremely rewarding to be accepted. Bringing confidence in your practice, it is encouraging that your work has the ability to inspire and influence a mass audience.
2 . What inspired you to enter our Open Call in particular?
I am familiar with Comme Ca Art and aware that they have been promoting artists across the North West for a long time. I have faith in their ethos and attracted by their ability to reach audiences.
3 . Do you have any advice to artists on entering an Open Call?
Do It, Give it a shot! All art is unique and original, meaning you are unique and original. Research the Judges, see what they are about, their history and their practices. This may tailor the type of piece that you want to put forward.
Comme Ca x AWOL Studios Open Call 2026
Deadline: Monday 27 April (midnight)
More info + how to enter: HERE
