PRESS RELEASE: 165 ANNUAL OPEN EXHIBITION – OPEN FOR SUBMISSIONS
165 Annual Open Exhibition RWA, Queens Road, Bristol, BS8 1PX
Submissions are now open for the South West’s biggest and most prestigious Annual Open Exhibition – closing at 5pm 21 August 2017
The RWA (Royal West of England Academy) welcomes submissions for its 165th Annual Open Exhibition, held in the beautiful, purpose built galleries of the UK’s only regional Royal Academy of Art.
This year’s exhibition will run from 1 October to 3 December 2017 and artists of all ages and backgrounds, both emerging and established, are encouraged to submit their work. 2016 saw around 2,500 entries of which 575 were selected for a vibrant exhibition which attracted over 12,000 visitors.
Sponsored by Smith & Williamson, the 165 Annual Open will include work by two prestigious invited artists – renowned painter and President of the Royal Academy, Christopher Le Brun, and photographic artist Tom Hunter RA – as well as the RWA’s own Academicians and other leading international artists.
Artworks are chosen by a selection panel, which this year includes acclaimed curator Marie-Anne McQuay, Head of Programme at Bluecoat, Liverpool, and writer, curator and lecturer James Russell, alongside RWA President Stewart Geddes and Academicians Stephen Jacobson, John Maine, Rachel Ara and Sara Dudman.
Submissions can be in any media – including painting, sculpture, print-making, photography, textile, film and installation – and artists of all ages and experience are welcome to apply. All works must be for sale and should have been made within the last three years.
The Annual Open reflects the RWA’s ongoing commitment to championing world-class art in the region and creating opportunities for new and emerging talent. The exhibition provides an opportunity for artists at any stage of their career to exhibit in a major exhibition alongside big names from the art world, and to present their work to the many keen art buyers who flock to see the show each year.
There are also a range of prizes to be won, including cash awards and other benefits, such as a solo exhibition at David Simon Contemporary in Bath sponsored by David Simon Contemporary.
For further information on the RWA 165 Annual Open exhibition, visit www.rwa.org.uk and to submit your works please go to www.rwa.oess.ukÂ
The exhibition follows the RWA’s current landmark exhibition Air: Visualising the invisible in British Art 1768 -2017 which will be on display until 3 September and celebrates the tradition of finding inspiration in the skies above us and the air around us. Â
Income from submissions is a vital source of support for the RWA, an independent charity (1070163), in order to maintain its historically significant building, present its ambitious programme of exhibitions and deliver creative opportunities for young people and adults across Bristol.