The Friends of the RWA are a vibrant community of people who are passionate about supporting the work of the RWA and championing visual arts. As members they play a vital role raising funds to support the RWA’s exhibitions, learning programmes and other cultural activities while also nurturing a lively and enthusiastic network of artists, art lovers and culture enthusiasts.

Every two years, the Friends curate an exhibition spotlighting the talent of our artist members. Submissions are now open for the March 2026 show.

Want to know more? Read our interview with artist Laurel Smart to find out why you should get involved and what it means to be part of the RWA community.

The Friends exhibition is primarily a fundraising event to support the RWA. It is takes place every two years. The exhibition is a very popular and much anticipated feature in the Friends calendar.

The Friends exhibition celebrates the talent of local artists and is open for any Friend to submit. We show original artwork in a wide range of media. We accept painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, original digital art, textiles, print and ceramics. The exhibition is hung in the lower ground floor galleries of the RWA.

There are also prizes for artwork, the Selectors prize, Best in Show and the People’s Choice, which are made possible through the generous support of sponsors.  

Artists submit their works online and are selected through an in person panel of RWA, established professional artist members of the RWA, as well as a gallery owner and curator. 

The selection day is fine-tuned with the help of Friends volunteers who help not just with the the selection day and process but also stewarding during the exhibition. This is something Friends enjoy doing whether their work is hung or not as it is great fun to sit with this collection of beautiful art and chat with visitors about the exhibition and about becoming a Friend. 

The Friends exhibition is very popular with the public, it is always well received and brilliantly attended. Many artists sell their work and, whether you sell or not, it is great to have your work shown in the RWA, alongside so many other talented artists. 

The exhibition is very popular with Friends, it is a community event that we like to be involved with, to contribute to and to help run. It brings artists together, forges contacts and builds friendships.

While the primary purpose of the Friends of the RWA is to support the RWA through fundraising, I am a Friend because I am an artist, I like to be involved, and I want to support the RWA.  I have learnt so much, met many interesting people, made personal friendships and artistic connections. The events run by the FRWA are always an opportunity to contribute to the RWA and feel a part of something very important.  

I am an abstract painter. My work is large, colourful and bold, my canvasses are full of energy. I love the variety of art on show in the Friends exhibition, often delighting in the small and delicate. I am particularly interested in the quality of the work which is determined by the artists’ use of the medium. I have seen breathtaking watercolour, delicate textiles, intriguing print, gifted sculpture …. the list goes on, I couldn’t choose only one! 

Find out more about submitting work to the Friends Exhibition 2026 here