Surface Gallery in Nottingham have welcomed back the International Postcard Show for 2026, showcasing pieces from beginners to established artists.
The exhibition is the longest-running in Surface Gallery’s history, returning annually for what will now be their 22nd year.
Including all submissions of postcard-sized artwork, from painting and print to textiles and illustration, this inclusive exhibition features art created by individuals from Japan to Australia.
Everything on show is priced at £15, and anything left over after can be swapped between participants at random, encouraging new connections with other artists from around the world.
Trevor Melton, Surface Gallery volunteer and co-curator of the International Postcard Exhibition said it is “the glory of the internet” which means artists from as far as the Philippines can get involved and hear about the show.
Trevor has helped put together the exhibition since he joined the gallery in 2019 following his retirement in 2016.
He said: “I got involved because after retiring I needed something to do really.
“As the years progressed we’ve got more and more further afield with the submissions.
“This year we’ve had submissions from 18 different countries, with over 400 postcards from around 80 to 90 artists.
“One young person from the Art Academy in Nottingham has actually sold one of their pieces.”
Schools, charities and and other organisations are also welcome to submit in groups for half of the submission fee which is already affordable, for example one post card is £6 for UK entries, and for international it is £7.50.
There are a selection of four prizes up for grabs, and the winners will be chosen by a panel of Surface judges.
Prizes include £100 donated by Opulent Art for first place, which was awarded this year to community arts organisation, SEND Project, a £25 Etsy voucher for second, a year’s subscription to arts and culture magazine Aesthetica, and last but not least the People’s Prize.
This is where visitors of the exhibition will have the opportunity to vote for their favourite postcard, depositing their choice into the Surface post box.
The winner will be awarded a free exhibition in the gallery’s alternative art space, Le Loovre, appropriately named after the toilet.
For more information on the Surface Gallery, and how to get involved as a volunteer, visit Surface
