Inspired by Classics
The show rethinking classical art
DEADLINE
EXHIBITION
VENUE
TOPIC
PRIZE
OPENING
March 29
April 28 - May 29
Golden Duck Gallery
Classic art
€ 1000
May 8, 18:00 CET
Are you a contemporary artist finding your voice through the whispers of the past? Golden Duck Gallery, located in the heart of the Budapest art scene, is proud to announce an international open call for our upcoming group exhibition.
We are seeking contemporary art submissions that engage in a dialogue with the bygone era of classic art.
Whether your work is a
meticulous study copy,
a respectful homage, or
a bold modern interpretation of classical artworks,
we want to see how the masters of old continue to influence the creators of today.
Winners of the Open Call get the opportunity to exhibit physically in the heart of Budapest in a well-known gallery and digitaly in 4 locations across the world: Budapest, Vienna and New York!
Exhibitors will also get money prizes from a massive €1000 prize fund, international certificates of excellence, and get featured on the Golden Duck Gallery's online exhibition platform & webshop.
Concept
Inspired by Classics explores the enduring dialogue between historical tradition and the contemporary lens. At Golden Duck Gallery, we believe the bygone era is not a closed chapter, but a living foundation. This exhibition celebrates the artists who look to the past to find their way forward.
Three Perspectives
The show is organized into three focused categories:
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The Study: Masterful copies that preserve the rigorous techniques and craftsmanship of the Old Masters.
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The Homage: Works that capture the spirit and atmosphere of a specific movement or artist.
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The Interpretation: Bold, modern translations of classical themes, motifs, and silhouettes for the 21st century.
Purpose
In a fast-paced digital world, this collection honors the slow, intentional beauty of classical influence. We invite viewers to experience how the foundations of the Renaissance, Baroque, and Neoclassical eras continue to shape the Budapest contemporary art scene.
Your benefits
International recognition
All exhibitors get a certificate acknowledging their talent. The show is registered on ARTFACTS.NET
Money
prizes
Jury selects artists eligible for money prizes with a total fund of
€1000
Webshop &
Online expo
The online show remains active for at least 2 years.
All artworks exhibited in the show are promoted in our webshop.
Exhibition services
The exhibition is fully formed, designed, hung by our professional team. You just bring the artwork!
Why Golden Duck?
Location
Golden Duck Gallery is a well-known art space situated in the very heart of touristic Budapest 400 meters away from major tourist attractions
€ 15 000
of special prizes paid out to artists in our open calls in 2024-2025
50+ exhibitions
Organized in 2022-2025
Thousands of visitors and fantastic atmosphere await you
Money prizes
Concept
Award
€ 150
2 winners
Old Masters Award
€ 200
1 winners
Duck Special Award
€ 100
2 winners
The Jury announces special prizes for artists showint excellent talent and artistic view. The awards are paid out in cash after the announcement that takes place on the Grand Opening event on May 8, 2026.
Submission rules
The submission is free of charge. You can submit up to 5 artworks.
To participate, simply select the number of artworks you would like to submit.
DISCLAIMER!
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Please be informed that the Open Call is an art contest. This means your artworks undergo a jury that decides whether the artworks are eligible for the physical or online exhibitions.
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The Open Call submission is free. However, the chosen artists will be asked to choose if they want to exhibit and pay the exhibition fee.
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A sign-in to your Google Account (Gmail) is necessary to fill out the Google Form collecting the data for the submission. This is the policy of Google Forms.
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The submission and shipping deadlines are strict deadlines. Please be informed that exceeding the deadlines might mean your artworks will not make it into the jury and will not be chosen for show. Exceeding the deadline on the artist's side does not make the artist eligible for refund.
DEADLINES
Submission deadline: March 29, 2026
Results announcement: by April 3, 2026
Shipping must be complete by April 24, 2026
EXHIBITION FEE
The Open Call for Inspired by Classics exhibition is
free to submit.
This means that you do not have to pay anything until you know the results.
Instead, you have more control over the exhibited artwork and your spending, as for the RESTART Open Call & Show we announce a plain fee of
€100 / artwork/ 4 weeks of exhibition.
Please note that the Jury will choose 3 artworks that take part in the exhibition for free, as part of the CURATOR'S PICK PRIZE.
Also note that the participation in the exhibition is not obligatory for those who take part in the Open Call. This means that you have the opportunity to decide whether to exhibit or not.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Due to tight deadlines and short delivery times we ask you to provide us with email and telephone numbers that you can easily check. Our colleagues do their best to reach out if they have any information.
ARTISTIC CONDITIONS
Feel free to submit:
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physical & digital paintings,
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photography,
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any type of mixed media
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3D artworks
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Sculptures
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Installations
Please note that AI-created art or art co-created with AI should be marked up!
Study copies are allowed.
All artworks MUST be in READY TO HANG condition!
THEME, TOPIC & STYLE LIMITATIONS
The RESTART Open Call & Show has the goal of runnung a multi-topical concept art exhibition with the topic of rebirth of nature and the necessity to restart the world in order to escape the inevitable catastrophes. So here are some limitations for you to know how to maximize your chances to be there on our walls.
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We do not announce size limitations
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All artworks must be in READY TO HANG condition!
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We suggest submitting art with interesting and unusual styles or topics to maximise your chances
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We recommend a limited price range of max. €1500 for better selling opportunities
Shipping rules
The winning artworks must arrive to the Golden Duck Gallery in Budapest
by April 24, 2026
at the artist's sole expense.
Please note, that the artworks arriving at a later date might be denied of physical exhibition!
The shipping address is:
1092 Hungary, Budapest
Raday utca 31/a
Golden Duck Gallery
After the end of the exhibition, the Golden Duck Gallery shall send unsold artworks back to the artists at their own expense.
DISCLAIMER
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Please note that shipping fees on both ways (inside the gallery and outside for the artist) should be paid by the artist.
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If shipping from outside of the EU, VAT or import customs might be applied on the border. In order to avoid that, please mark the artwork as gift. If the Artist marks it as goods, the Artist shall refund the gallery with the sum of the tax & VAT.
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Our colleagues are ready to help you with shipping and delivery of your artworks. If you would like to organise the shipping yourself, please inform us about the delivery services arrival times and special needs.