Call Out: A Shetland Yüle – Christmas Card Designs

Calling all creatives! We’re looking for artwork for packs of Christmas Cards, inspired by Shetland.

Shetland Arts invites artists, illustrators, designers, printmakers, photographers, and other 2D creatives based in Shetland, or with a strong connection to the islands, to submit work for our 2026 Christmas card collection under the theme: A Shetland Yüle.

We’re looking to select 3 creatives, each submitting a collection of 4 complementary 2D artworks or images that capture the unique character of winter and the festive season in Shetland. 

We’re asking creatives to submit four existing works that sit well as a collection, while also working as strong individual Christmas card designs. The selected collections will be produced by Shetland Arts as Christmas card packs available through our retail spaces. 

Selected creatives will receive a £200 fee and grant Shetland Arts a limited licence to reproduce the selected images for the packs.

We encourage submissions from creatives at all stages of their practice to dip into their archives and submit a selection of existing work that aligns with the theme.

Responding to the Theme

Your collection should reflect your own interpretation of A Shetland Yüle, taking inspiration from elements such as personal experiences, traditions, memories, or sense of place. We welcome a broad range of 2D media, including painting, drawing, illustration, printmaking, mixed media, digital artwork, and photography.

Ideas might include:

• Contemporary or traditional interpretations of a Shetland Yüle
• Shetland winter landscapes, seascapes, wildlife, and weather
• Community, family, gathering, reflection, and remembrance
• Crofting, island life, and the comforts of home in winter
• Festive food, music, decorations, and local traditions
• Personal memories, nostalgia, and quiet moments of the season

We can’t wait to see your own unique perspectives on A Shetland Yüle!

Further details

• Creatives are asked to submit a collection of 4 original 2D works in response to the theme
• We are looking for each creative to choose existing works from their archive that aligns with the theme
• 3 creatives will be selected and paid a £200 fee which will give Shetland Arts a license to use their submitted images for a limited exclusive print run
• Each selected collection of 4 images will form a Christmas card pack, resulting in 3 card packs available for sale through Shetland Arts retail spaces
• Ownership of the artwork remains with the artist, and the artist will be credited on each card

How to Apply

Please email our Bonhoga & Retail Manager, Rhea Kay ([email protected]), with the title: “A Shetland Yule Submission”.

This email should include:

• Your name, age, and location. If you are not currently living in Shetland, please briefly outline your connection to the islands
• Images of your 4 chosen works (either as attachments or via a download link). Images should be submitted in portrait or landscape format, ideally at 107mm × 152mm and 300dpi resolution
• The title of each work, the date, and the medium used
• Confirmation that you have read and agree to the Terms and Conditions, and, if applicable, a declaration of any material use of generative AI in the submitted artwork

If you’re unsure whether your image meets the correct size and resolution, please still submit your artworks and we can check this for you. This will not affect your submission being considered.

If the applicant is unable to submit works digitally or via email, please contact us before the closing date and we will be glad to advise where possible.