Exhibition Open Call
‘Bridging Fantasy Across Time: In Conversation with Sidney Sime’
Co-curated by Jacob Heayes
This call is open to all artists who are interested in exploring the intersection of fantasy art and gaming. Whether you are an emerging artist, a professional, or someone working within the gaming industry, we encourage diverse submissions from all backgrounds.
We have selected a few of Sime’s iconic artworks for you to respond to. These pieces are rooted in themes of myth, imagination, and otherworldly creatures, providing a rich foundation for your creative interpretations. The final exhibition (taking place in November 2025) will explore how these fantastical worlds, first captured in Sime's paintings and illustrations, continue to inspire the realm of video games and gaming culture, especially within the dynamic landscape of Guildford, the UK's hub for the gaming industry.
What We Want From You:
Interpret the selected works of Sidney Sime (listed below) through any medium you choose, whether it's painting, sculpture, digital art, video game design, interactive media, or mixed media.
Explore how Sime's fantastical themes of mythology, the supernatural, and otherworldly landscapes can be reinterpreted and connected to the narrative and visual landscapes of today’s gaming industry.
We are particularly interested in submissions that reflect on how fantasy art influences game design, world-building, character development, and the immersive experiences that modern video games provide.
Submission Guidelines
Deadline for submissions: 1st October 2025
Format: Submissions should be sent to submissions@newhouse.art (digital files for digital artworks, high-quality images of physical works can be sent via a wetransfer link or a google drive link)
Accepted mediums: All mediums are accepted, including but not limited to: painting, sculpture, digital art, video game concepts, mixed media, and interactive installations. Please ensure all digital submissions are in high resolution.
Please provide your name, a description of your work, an image if the the work is physical and/or file type, medium and size in your submission email.
submissions will not be selected if you do not provide us with the relevant information
The exhibition will take place in November 2025, if you are selected we will email you with all the relevant information for installation and opening reception.
About Sidney Sime
Sidney Sime (1865–1941) is celebrated for his otherworldly illustrations, particularly his collaborations with fantasy writer Lord Dunsany. His fantastical landscapes, mythical creatures, and dreamlike imagery have inspired generations of artists, storytellers, and creators. Sime’s works not only evoke escapism and wonder but also connect deeply to the essence of storytelling that still informs modern fantasy worlds, particularly in video games.
Summer Exhibition
Open Call: ‘Nothing ever Happens Here’
Opening Reception: 25 July 2025, 7pm
Summer Exhibition at New House Art Space, Guildford
Guildford is often painted as quiet. Polished. Predictable.
This exhibition asks: what lies beneath that surface?
For this exhibition we opened submissions up to the public for work that reclaims, reimagines, or resists the dominant narratives about this place. Work that surfaces the stories, subcultures, tensions, and contradictions often left out of the local brochure. Think back rooms and basement gigs, community resistance and quiet revolutions, underground networks and misremembered histories. We’re interested in lived experience and folklore, nostalgia and nuisance, defiance and the domestic.
Whether the artists have lived here all their life, passed through, or felt on the edges of belonging, this is a space that challenges the cliché that “nothing happens here” and to show the town - on their own terms.
LGBTQ+ life drawing class
Another month, and more writing to do! We’re back at New House Art Space on the 20th of April
Queer Arts & Heritage Workshop
Blossom LGBT CIC is a non profit organisation operating across the United Kingdom with the mission to empower the amazing things that LGBTQIA+ young adults can achieve without the fear of discrimination.This manifests across a one to one mentoring scheme, workshops, and holistic wellbeing support.
This event is for people aged ABOVE 16 years old.
Wondering what kinds of topics we'll explore?
Each workshop will cover a different unique aspect of LGBTQIA+ heritage, this includes:
Symbolism: Uncover the hidden meanings behind symbols that have shaped the queer community's narrative. From ancient emblems to contemporary icons, explore the power of visual language.
Messaging: Discover the art of expressing identity and solidarity through various forms of messaging. Explore how words and images have played a crucial role in the LGBTQ+ movement.
Flags: Journey through the rainbow and beyond as we explore the significance of LGBTQ+ flags. From the iconic Pride flag to lesser-known symbols, understand the stories each flag tells.
Protest & Solidarity: Delve into the history of queer activism and protest. Understand the role of solidarity in fostering positive change and explore how art has been a powerful tool in advocacy.
Heritage Across the UK: Our workshops draw on extensive research across the United Kingdom to bring you a unique perspective on queer heritage. Learn about the stories, struggles, and triumphs that have shaped the LGBTQ+ community.
Stay Tuned:
Put your newfound knowledge into practice! Engage in hands-on visual arts activities where you'll have the opportunity to recreate and reinterpret queer heritage through your own artistic expression. This page is a placeholder for the upcoming Queer Arts & Heritage Workshops. We'll create an additional event with specific details for each date closer to each event although if you're up for it regardless then pop yourself on this event and we'll see you soon!! If you are particularly interested in a specific topic, keep an eye out for announcements and secure your spot early.
Bell’s Beans // Guildford Coffee Club
We’re Back!
Mark your calendars! Our first relaunched gathering will be on Sunday, August 31st, from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM at New House Art Space.
Tickets for this special event are £15, with a welcome offer of just £10 for first-time attendees!
We can't wait to share a fresh pour with you and create memorable experiences. Stay tuned to our social media channels and upcoming news for more details about our first event and those to follow.
Roaster: Bell’s Beans
If you are new to Guildford Coffee Club or this is your first time attending an event since the relaunch for a discounted ticket use code: FIRSTTIME
What to Expect from the Relaunched Club:
We've refreshed the format to make every gathering a unique experience centred around coffee:
Brew Genuine Connection: Our events bring curious, open people together, fostering kindred spirits over shared passion.
Inspire Mindful Exploration: Dive deeper into the world of coffee, from its fascinating origins to unique brewing methods. Discover how every roast carries a tale, and learn new ways to appreciate your daily brew.
Nurture Well-being: Take a moment to taste, breathe, and be present. Coffee can be a pathway to a deeper sensory experience and a moment of calm.
Our New Format:
Each event will focus on a different aspect of the coffee world, designed for open dialogue and discovery:
A Focus on Coffee Exploration: This could mean delving into a local roaster's craft, sharing captivating stories about coffee's journey, or an interactive session to learn new brewing techniques.
One Sunday Morning: A perfect opportunity to relax, learn, and connect.
Open Dialogue: Share your thoughts, ask questions, and engage with fellow coffee enthusiasts.
Plenty of Time to Wander the Gallery: Immerse yourself in the art around you, allowing for quiet contemplation and inspiration.
'Urban Instincts' by Sam B. Kennedy
What wildness lives within our walls… and within ourselves?
Cities are never still. In her first solo exhibition, Guildford artist Sam B. Kennedy explores the dynamic relationship between nature and the built environment, chaos and control, instinct and influence. Vivid mixed-media works, inspired by contemporary street art, reveal animals emerging from each canvas, ready to reclaim their place in the concrete landscape. Alongside them, a striking series of layered portraits blurs the boundaries between human and animal, the contained and the free. Kennedy invites you to look closer at what lives around us, and at what stirs within.
Every piece bursts with colour, energy, and defiance- a reminder that nature is never truly tamed, and neither are we.
Get your tickets for the opening reception on Friday 5th September 7-9pm
About
Sam B. Kennedy (b. 1994) is an emerging artist from Surrey, most known for her vibrant mixed media paintings which balance elements of nature, chaos, structure, and tension. Inspired by the beauty and complexity of the world around us, Kennedy employs a distinctly 21st-century approach, merging traditional oil painting techniques with contemporary street art influences.
Born in Surrey, England, Kennedy studied at the Arts University Bournemouth from 2012-2015, and then at the University of Reading from 2018-2018. Kennedy’s work in art education has not only inspired her students but also enriched her own creative practice, leading her to explore various disciplines, including ceramics, textiles, and photography.
Kennedy was a highly commended finalist for SAA’s 2024 and 2023 ‘Artist of the Year’ competitions, and subsequently had her work showcased in both London and Nottingham galleries alongside the other shortlisted artists. The Royal Society of British Artists named Kennedy a semi-finalist for the 2023 RBA Rome Scholarship and had her painting ‘Two for Joy’ displayed in the ‘RBA Rising Stars’ exhibition at the Royal Overseas League, London.
The artist’s work is in private collections in the United Kingdom, Unites States of America, and Spain. Kennedy has featured in both solo and group exhibitions, including at the Holy Art Gallery, London; Espacio Gallery, London; The Royal Overseas League, London; Boomer Gallery, London; and Denbies Wine Estate, Dorking. Since 2018, Sam B. Kennedy has lived and worked in Woking, Surrey.
Drink & Draw
Whether you're an experienced artist or just starting out, this event is the perfect opportunity to unleash your inner artist while sipping on a delicious cup of coffee.
knitting circle
Join the Knitting circle, for a cosy creative event for all levels of knitting abilities!
Queer Coffee Meet Up
Whether you're part of the LGBTQ+ community or a fierce ally, this space is all about vibing over a hot drink, making new connections, and diving deep into Guildford’s queer scene. It's a chance to share stories, lift each other up, and shape a community that’s as inclusive as it is dynamic. Grab a coffee, come as you are, and let's talk, connect, and grow together.
cannon coffee // Guildford Coffee Club
Roaster: Cannon Coffee
https://www.cannoncoffee.co.uk/
If you are new to Guildford Coffee Club or this is your first time attending an event since the relaunch for a discounted ticket use code: FIRSTTIME
What to Expect from the Relaunched Club:
We've refreshed the format to make every gathering a unique experience centred around coffee:
Brew Genuine Connection: Our events bring curious, open people together, fostering kindred spirits over shared passion.
Inspire Mindful Exploration: Dive deeper into the world of coffee, from its fascinating origins to unique brewing methods. Discover how every roast carries a tale, and learn new ways to appreciate your daily brew.
Nurture Well-being: Take a moment to taste, breathe, and be present. Coffee can be a pathway to a deeper sensory experience and a moment of calm.
Our New Format:
Each event will focus on a different aspect of the coffee world, designed for open dialogue and discovery:
A Focus on Coffee Exploration: This could mean delving into a local roaster's craft, sharing captivating stories about coffee's journey, or an interactive session to learn new brewing techniques.
One Sunday Morning: A perfect opportunity to relax, learn, and connect.
Open Dialogue: Share your thoughts, ask questions, and engage with fellow coffee enthusiasts.
Plenty of Time to Wander the Gallery: Immerse yourself in the art around you, allowing for quiet contemplation and inspiration.
Kota coffee // Guildford Coffee Club
Roaster: Kota coffee
If you are new to Guildford Coffee Club or this is your first time attending an event since the relaunch for a discounted ticket use code: FIRSTTIME
What to Expect from the Relaunched Club:
We've refreshed the format to make every gathering a unique experience centred around coffee:
Brew Genuine Connection: Our events bring curious, open people together, fostering kindred spirits over shared passion.
Inspire Mindful Exploration: Dive deeper into the world of coffee, from its fascinating origins to unique brewing methods. Discover how every roast carries a tale, and learn new ways to appreciate your daily brew.
Nurture Well-being: Take a moment to taste, breathe, and be present. Coffee can be a pathway to a deeper sensory experience and a moment of calm.
Our New Format:
Each event will focus on a different aspect of the coffee world, designed for open dialogue and discovery:
A Focus on Coffee Exploration: This could mean delving into a local roaster's craft, sharing captivating stories about coffee's journey, or an interactive session to learn new brewing techniques.
One Sunday Morning: A perfect opportunity to relax, learn, and connect.
Open Dialogue: Share your thoughts, ask questions, and engage with fellow coffee enthusiasts.
Plenty of Time to Wander the Gallery: Immerse yourself in the art around you, allowing for quiet contemplation and inspiration.
Guildford Pottery
Get ready to unleash your creativity and get your hands dirty with clay.
Writer’s Saloon
Inclusive space for writers, to talk all things writing and books, with small feedback groups for the brave.
Fun Time Thursday: Make and Decorate a Windmil
Fun Time Thursday – Make Your Own Windmill!
Join Experience Guildford at New House Art Space for another colourful Fun Time Thursday activity!
Kids can make and decorate their very own windmill to take home.
A fun and creative drop-in activity
All materials provided
Take your windmill home afterwards!
🕒 Drop in anytime – no booking required
👧 Suitable for children aged 4 and over
⚠️ While stocks last
💷 Free event.
All you have to do is download Experience Guildford app and claim your free ticket at the event.
Perfect for little makers and busy families – come and go as you please!
Queer Coffee Meet Up
Whether you're part of the LGBTQ+ community or a fierce ally, this space is all about vibing over a hot drink, making new connections, and diving deep into Guildford’s queer scene. It's a chance to share stories, lift each other up, and shape a community that’s as inclusive as it is dynamic. Grab a coffee, come as you are, and let's talk, connect, and grow together.
Fun Time Thursday: Tie-dye T-shirt Workshop
Fun Time Thursdays – Tie-Dye Your T-Shirt Workshop
Experience Guildford’s Fun Time Thursdays are back, and we’re kicking things off with a colourful tie-dye T-shirt workshop!
This is a relaxed, drop-in activity where children can get creative, learn the basics of tie-dyeing, and take home their very own personalised T-shirt.
What to expect:
A fun, hands-on craft activity
All materials provided – including T-shirts
Learn simple tie-dye techniques
Take your creation home the same day!
📍 Drop-in, no booking required
🕒 Come and go as you please – while stocks last. One t-shirt per child.
👦 Suitable for children aged 5 and over
💷 Free event.
The only thing you will have to do is download Experience Guildford app claim your free ticket at the event.
Join us for a colourful afternoon of creativity – perfect for families looking for something fun and free to do!
knitting circle
Join the Knitting circle, for a cosy creative event for all levels of knitting abilities!
Drink & Draw
Whether you're an experienced artist or just starting out, this event is the perfect opportunity to unleash your inner artist while sipping on a delicious cup of coffee.
Queer Arts & Heritage Workshop
Blossom LGBT CIC is a non profit organisation operating across the United Kingdom with the mission to empower the amazing things that LGBTQIA+ young adults can achieve without the fear of discrimination.This manifests across a one to one mentoring scheme, workshops, and holistic wellbeing support.
This event is for people aged ABOVE 16 years old.
Wondering what kinds of topics we'll explore?
Each workshop will cover a different unique aspect of LGBTQIA+ heritage, this includes:
Symbolism: Uncover the hidden meanings behind symbols that have shaped the queer community's narrative. From ancient emblems to contemporary icons, explore the power of visual language.
Messaging: Discover the art of expressing identity and solidarity through various forms of messaging. Explore how words and images have played a crucial role in the LGBTQ+ movement.
Flags: Journey through the rainbow and beyond as we explore the significance of LGBTQ+ flags. From the iconic Pride flag to lesser-known symbols, understand the stories each flag tells.
Protest & Solidarity: Delve into the history of queer activism and protest. Understand the role of solidarity in fostering positive change and explore how art has been a powerful tool in advocacy.
Heritage Across the UK: Our workshops draw on extensive research across the United Kingdom to bring you a unique perspective on queer heritage. Learn about the stories, struggles, and triumphs that have shaped the LGBTQ+ community.
Stay Tuned:
Put your newfound knowledge into practice! Engage in hands-on visual arts activities where you'll have the opportunity to recreate and reinterpret queer heritage through your own artistic expression. This page is a placeholder for the upcoming Queer Arts & Heritage Workshops. We'll create an additional event with specific details for each date closer to each event although if you're up for it regardless then pop yourself on this event and we'll see you soon!! If you are particularly interested in a specific topic, keep an eye out for announcements and secure your spot early.
LGBTQ+ life drawing class
Another month, and more writing to do! We’re back at New House Art Space on the 20th of April
Writer’s Saloon
Inclusive space for writers, to talk all things writing and books, with small feedback groups for the brave.
Familiar Bones by Jill West
‘Familiar Bones’ by Jill West
Familiar Bones presents the first posthumous exhibition of London painter Jill West. Her series of paintings explore the congruence of form, abstract narrative and lived experience. Following a life of alcohol recovery and motherhood, Wests’ work concerns the examination of current issues of powerlessness, powerlessness of the individual and groups of individuals that exists within society. Her work physically confronts the viewer with the reality of what goes on behind closed doors, both public doors and private, bringing interior to exterior.
Please join us for the Private View on Friday the 18th July 7-9pm
Jill West (1943 - 2022) originally from The Wirral (Liverpool), moved to London at the age of seventeen to pursue a degree in Fine Art and raise a family of seven.
“My work lies in the tradition of narrative expressive-realist. The works of Simon English, Sarah Lucas, and more recently, Dorothea Tanning and Ken Kiff, inspire me to greater freedom in both the application of paint and in the subject matter - the subconscious, whilst continuing to confront current issues of powerless - the abused, the locked away, the displaced, the marginalised.” -
West, December 2005.
The Unplugged Club
Step away from the screen and into the moment.
Looking for a peaceful space to get inspired and let your creativity flow? Join us for The Unplugged Club, a monthly gathering where we unplug from the digital world and reconnect with our creativity and each other.
What is the The Unplugged Club?
A monthly two-hour gathering designed to help you reconnect—with yourself and others. Through creativity and conversation, we will explore a shared theme drawn from nature—like sky, roots, or flow—as a mirror for our inner world and relationships. This is a space to explore creative passions, share meaningful dialogue, and build genuine connections in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.
Queer Coffee Meet Up
Whether you're part of the LGBTQ+ community or a fierce ally, this space is all about vibing over a hot drink, making new connections, and diving deep into Guildford’s queer scene. It's a chance to share stories, lift each other up, and shape a community that’s as inclusive as it is dynamic. Grab a coffee, come as you are, and let's talk, connect, and grow together.
Drink & Draw
Whether you're an experienced artist or just starting out, this event is the perfect opportunity to unleash your inner artist while sipping on a delicious cup of coffee.
June Resident Artists Exhibition
This month our June resident exhibition will be a showcase of our new artists’ work that participated in the June studio opportunity.
Queer Arts & Heritage Workshops
Blossom LGBT CIC is a non profit organisation operating across the United Kingdom with the mission to empower the amazing things that LGBTQIA+ young adults can achieve without the fear of discrimination.This manifests across a one to one mentoring scheme, workshops, and holistic wellbeing support.
This event is for people aged ABOVE 16 years old.
Wondering what kinds of topics we'll explore?
Each workshop will cover a different unique aspect of LGBTQIA+ heritage, this includes:
Symbolism: Uncover the hidden meanings behind symbols that have shaped the queer community's narrative. From ancient emblems to contemporary icons, explore the power of visual language.
Messaging: Discover the art of expressing identity and solidarity through various forms of messaging. Explore how words and images have played a crucial role in the LGBTQ+ movement.
Flags: Journey through the rainbow and beyond as we explore the significance of LGBTQ+ flags. From the iconic Pride flag to lesser-known symbols, understand the stories each flag tells.
Protest & Solidarity: Delve into the history of queer activism and protest. Understand the role of solidarity in fostering positive change and explore how art has been a powerful tool in advocacy.
Heritage Across the UK: Our workshops draw on extensive research across the United Kingdom to bring you a unique perspective on queer heritage. Learn about the stories, struggles, and triumphs that have shaped the LGBTQ+ community.
Stay Tuned:
Put your newfound knowledge into practice! Engage in hands-on visual arts activities where you'll have the opportunity to recreate and reinterpret queer heritage through your own artistic expression. This page is a placeholder for the upcoming Queer Arts & Heritage Workshops. We'll create an additional event with specific details for each date closer to each event although if you're up for it regardless then pop yourself on this event and we'll see you soon!! If you are particularly interested in a specific topic, keep an eye out for announcements and secure your spot early.
Writer’s Saloon
Inclusive space for writers, to talk all things writing and books, with small feedback groups for the brave.
The Unplugged Club
Step away from the screen and into the moment.
Looking for a peaceful space to get inspired and let your creativity flow? Join us for The Unplugged Club, a monthly gathering where we unplug from the digital world and reconnect with our creativity and each other.
What is the The Unplugged Club?
A monthly two-hour gathering designed to help you reconnect—with yourself and others. Through creativity and conversation, we will explore a shared theme drawn from nature—like sky, roots, or flow—as a mirror for our inner world and relationships. This is a space to explore creative passions, share meaningful dialogue, and build genuine connections in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.
Tote Bag Workshop
Bring your old tote bags back to life with a brand new design. Join Georgia Tunesi for a laid-back, creative session and come away with a new favourite bag and new friends!
knitting circle
Join the Knitting circle, for a cosy creative event for all levels of knitting abilities!
Art Exhibition Celebrating our past, creating our future
Join us for the very special Blossom LGBTQIA+ Arts & Heritage exhibition, featuring art and performances from LGBTQ+ artists.
Grab your tickets for the Opening Reception below!
Summer Exhibition Open Call
Open Call: ‘Nothing ever Happens Here’.
Summer Exhibition at New House Art Space, Guildford
New House invites artists working in any medium to respond to our 2025 summer exhibition theme
Guildford is often painted as quiet. Polished. Predictable.
This exhibition asks: what lies beneath that surface?
We’re calling for work that reclaims, reimagines, or resists the dominant narratives about this place. Work that surfaces the stories, subcultures, tensions, and contradictions often left out of the local brochure. Think back rooms and basement gigs, community resistance and quiet revolutions, underground networks and misremembered histories. We’re interested in lived experience and folklore, nostalgia and nuisance, defiance and the domestic.
Whether you’ve lived here all your life, passed through, or felt on the edges of belonging, we want your take. This is a chance to challenge the cliché that “nothing happens here” and to show the town—on your own terms.
Submission Guidelines
Exhibition Dates:
25 July – 31 August 2025 (Opening Reception - 25th July 7-9pm)
Location: New House Art Space, Fays Passage Guildford
Deadline for submissions:
Friday 18 July 2025
£4 per entry
We are particularly keen to hear from artists who are underrepresented in the arts, including LGBTQIA+, working class, neurodivergent, and global majority artists.
New House Art Space is an inclusive and artist-led space in the heart of Guildford. This summer, we want to make space for the stories that don’t usually get told.
If that sounds like your kind of conversation, we want to hear from you.
Surrey Open Art Studios Launch Reception
Please join us for an evening of networking and drinks to kick start Surrey Open Art Studios 2025
For more info visit Surrey Open Art Studios here
LGBTQ+ life drawing class
Another month, and more writing to do! We’re back at New House Art Space on the 20th of April
Guildford Pottery
Get ready to unleash your creativity and get your hands dirty with clay.
Yoga At The Gallery
Yoga at the Gallery | A Mindful Journey Through Art and Movement
Step into a unique fusion of art and wellness with Gallery Yoga, where the tranquility of yoga meets the vibrancy of the gallery. Set amidst stunning works of art, this immersive yoga experience invites you to move, breathe, and meditate in a space filled with creativity and inspiration.
Whether you're a seasoned yogi or a beginner, this session offers a peaceful escape from everyday life, allowing you to connect with both your body and the artwork surrounding you. As you flow through poses, let the beauty of each piece guide your movements and deepen your mindfulness.
To complete your experience, the gallery’s Frida’s Coffee Shop will open just as the session finishes. Treat yourself to a delicious cup of coffee and unwind in the cozy atmosphere. It's the perfect way to reflect on your practice and enjoy the creative energy of the gallery.
Join us for a refreshing practice that blends the visual and physical—helping you find balance, inner calm, and a renewed appreciation for both art and self.
No prior yoga experience required—just bring an open mind and a sense of curiosity.
Tickets £10. Hosted by Jasma Patel
Writer’s Saloon
Inclusive space for writers, to talk all things writing and books, with small feedback groups for the brave.
New House Late’s with Phoebe Gaydon
Join us for an exciting gathering of creative minds at this creative network event!