Open Call

Back of an Envelope

Inspired by the recent Margaret Mellis show – reusing found materials – at the Towner, Blue Monkey Network in conjunction with Edgeland Modern initiated an OPEN CALL for an exhibition (initially online) to complete works involving used envelopes. It is commonly believed that most significant design ideas are first given form on the back of an envelope. Whether this is true or not it is certainly the case that doodling an idea on throw away materials allows for spontaneity and fewer inhibitions, so we think this might promote some interesting results.

Image: Rachael Adams, Everything goes back to the beginning, A1 Photocopy


Who can enter: All Blue Monkey members and any other interested artists.

Criteria for entry/submission: Work can be made with any art media including drawing, painting, collage, installation as long as it incorporates used envelopes, singly or collectively, brown or manilla, card or paper.

Selection will be based on ingenuity, originality and of course quality of execution.

Up to 4 works may be entered; 1 piece guaranteed selection and 2 or more may be selected if space allows.

Size is restricted to 40cm on any one dimension

All images must be submitted as a jpeg (max size 1mb per image).

Submissions should be sent by email to Pat Thornton

Selectors: Pat Thornton, Rachael Adams, Nikki Davidson-Bowman, Cat Ingrams.

Key dates: Deadline for submissions 7th March 2022
Blue Monkey Zoom Event to be arranged.

Entry fee: Free, though a small charge might be requested for admin costs when a suitable venue for a show in the early summer can be arranged.


Contacts: Pat Thornton or Edgeland Modern