Art / rwa annual open

Record number of submissions for RWA Annual Open

By Steve Wright  Monday Oct 5, 2020

The Royal West of England Academy have received a record number of submissions for their 168th Annual Open Exhibition, with 3566 works by 1833 artists sent in for selection.

The total exceeds the previous highest number of submissions – for the 2018 show – by over 300.

Alison Bevan, director at RWA, says “We are determined to continue our mission to showcase fantastic talent from across the UK and beyond and we look forward to giving you another opportunity to be inspired in a safe environment at a time when we will all need it most – the winter months.”

Independent journalism
is needed now More than ever
Keep our city's journalism independent. Become a supporter member today.

This and top pic: 167 Annual Open Exhibition, installation view, RWA, 2019. Photo: Alice Hendy

Sponsored by Smith & Williamson, this year’s Annual Open will run November 21 to March 7, 2021 – opening later than first advertised to allow additional time for handing in and handling, based on the latest Government guidelines.

Following the success of their first post-lockdown exhibition Wilhelmina Barns-Graham and the Artists of St Ives, RWA will continue to offer limited, bookable slots online to ensure the public’s safety. Slots will be available from Tuesday-Sunday, between 10am & 4pm (last entry 3pm), with tickets priced at £7.95.

The exhibition attracts art-lovers and art-buyers from far and wide. 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+.

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

For more info, visit www.rwa.org.uk/collections/events/products/rwa-168-annual-open-exhibition

Read more: BFI London Film Festival comes to Bristol

Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
I want to receive (tick as many as you want):
I'm interested in (for future reference):
Marketing Permissions

Bristol24/7 will use the information you provide on this form to be in touch with you and to provide updates and marketing. Please let us know all the ways you would like to hear from us:

We will only use your information in accordance with our privacy policy, which can be viewed here - www.bristol247.com/privacy-policy/ - you can change your mind at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in the footer of any email you receive from us, or by contacting us at meg@bristol247.com. We will treat your information with respect.


We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here.

Bristol24/7 is an independent media outlet and community interest company. We're not owned by a large corporation and your contribution will help keep it this way. It will also help us grow and improve our content. By supporting us you will:
  • Support young people, charities and environmental projects in Bristol
  • Shape a Better Bristol
  • Enjoy exclusive perks
  • Comment on articles

Related articles

Choose payment frequency
Choose payment method
Credit/Debit
Apple Pay
Google Pay
By signing up to become a member you agree to our privacy policy and terms & conditions.
Fill in this form or email partnerships@bristol247.com and a member of the team will be in touch.
You've read %d articles this month
Consider becoming a member today
Independent journalism
is needed now More than ever
You've read %d articles this month
Consider becoming a member today
You've read %d articles this month
Consider becoming a member today
Join the Better
Business initiative
You've read %d articles this month
Consider becoming a member today
* prices do not include VAT
You've read %d articles this month
Consider becoming a member today
Enjoy delicious local
exclusive deals
You've read %d articles this month
Consider becoming a member today
Wake up to the latest
Get the breaking news, events and culture in your inbox every morning