ARTIST CALL OUT - BRISTOL’S FIRST ANNUAL OPEN RETURNS FOR 168th YEAR

The RWA (Royal West of England Academy) is delighted to announce that they are welcoming submissions for its 168th Annual Open Exhibition, despite being forced to make changes to their 2020 programme as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Submissions and selections will take place online and bookable ticket slots allow the public to visit safely.

RWA are calling for artists to submit their work to this much-anticipated show. Anyone can enter their work for this mixed discipline show, and each artwork is judged on its own merits - you don't have to have exhibited before, or be art trained. Previous years have included painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, film, sculpture and illustration, and attracted entries from artists across the UK and beyond, from artists aged from 15 to 100+. All work is for sale,

Sponsored by Smith & Williamson, the exhibition attracts art-lovers and art-buyers from far and wide. There are a range of prizes to be won including ‘The Academy Prize’ (£5,000 awarded to any artist working in any medium), a ‘Student Prize’, a prize for ‘Artwork by Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Artists’ and a NEW!

‘People’s Choice’ prize (full list below). The latter was funded by the hugely successful Secret Postcard Auction, which allowed the charity to raise much needed funds to continue its work in the region.

This year’s Annual Open Exhibition will run from 14 November 2020 - 7 March 2021 - an extended period. Last year, RWA achieved record visitor numbers to the Open and thousands of artists submitted work from across the globe. The vibrant exhibition attracted over 10,000 visitors.

5 Reasons to Apply...

? The Open attracts art buyers from across the UK.

? Amazing prizes are given to winning artists, including generous cash awards

? RWA welcome submissions from artists of all ages and backgrounds, both emerging and established.

? All styles and media are welcome - from painting, drawing and printmaking, to photography, film and installation.

? You could share a gallery with our prestigious invited artists.

A selection panel assesses every entry and last year 657 works by 451 artists made it into the final exhibition. This year submissions and selections will take place online only. Submitting an artwork couldn't be easier via the online submission system (closes at 5pm on Tuesday 22 September). Apply here - https://rwaopen.artopps.co.uk

The 168 Annual Open will include work by invited artists Royal Academy President Rebecca Salter and Frank Bowling OBE RA, as well as the RWA’s own Academicians.

Artworks are chosen by a selection panel, which this year includes RWA Academicians Fiona Robinson, Ros Ford, Seyed Edalatpour, Andrew Muñoz and Wendy Elia, alongside artist and gallerist Zavier Ellis and writer and curator Anna McNay.

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.

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