The IronNotes International "STRIKE" Exhibition

Maker Level: Intermediate to Master. Deadline: 1 September 2026

THE LIGHTHOUSE

⚒️ The Showcase: The IronNotes International "STRIKE" Exhibition

Category: The Showcase / Travelling Contemporary Blacksmithing Exhibition & Symposium

  • The Opportunity: IronNotes, an elite international network co-funded by the EU's Creative Europe programme, has issued a global open call for makers to contribute to STRIKE. This is a curated, high-visibility travelling exhibition aimed at showcasing the absolute best of contemporary blacksmithing, industrial sculpture, and iron craft.

  • The "Lighthouse" Advantage: This open call is strictly built for people who manipulate iron and steel. They are looking for "striking" sculptural works (up to 50kg in weight) that push the limits of the anvil and the forge. Your work will debut at a major international symposium in Estonia before touring across multiple cultural hubs in Europe through 2027. It is the ultimate way for a metal sculptor to gain massive European traction.

  • The Benefit: Participation is completely free. Once accepted, the international network handles and funds the complete logistics, security, and return shipping of your sculpture throughout the European tour.

  • Maker Level: Intermediate to Master.

  • Deadline: 1 September 2026.

The "Gate-Crasher" Status:

  • The Portal: The submission criteria are hosted on Baltic educational and craft portals like ironnotes.eu.

  • The "Fail-Safe" Key: The curatorial board isn't looking for commercial, repetitive ironwork. They want pieces that tell a physical story—exploring the concept of a "strike" as a beat, a breakthrough, a spark, or a turning point.

  • Direct Action: Compile your visual submission into a clean, precise 5MB PDF portfolio highlighting the raw textures and technical execution of your work.

  • Direct Application: Submit your technical brief and bio through the official curatorial team channels.

The stories behind my artwork, the opportunities in The Lighthouse, and the reflections of the Morning Muse are my ways of keeping the lamp lit for our creative community. These resources will always be free to access. If they have found you at the right time, consider fueling the forge to help keep the fire burning. Your support, in any amount, is deeply appreciated.