Our Annual Exhibition showcases over 500 contemporary works, representing some of the most exciting artists working across the UK and beyond today. 

With a strong emphasis on supporting artists through sales, the exhibition attracts over 10,000 visitors annually. Last year alone, the show generated over £150,000 in sales of original works and prints.  

Jessica Lloyd-Smith runs Modern ArtBuyer, a contemporary art gallery and art consultancy. She works in collaboration with us during our Annual Open, supporting the sales of original artwork and editions featured within the exhibition.  

Alongside offering guidance and advice for visitors looking to purchase artwork, Jessica also works with the RWA team to build skills, confidence, and knowledge in selling artists' work. 

As visitors prepare to explore this year’s Annual Open, Jessica’s advice offers a practical way into the exhibition: look closely, trust your response, and choose work that continues to speak to you over time. 

"People have different drivers for purchasing art," shares Jessica. "Some people may have an empty wall space in their home and want to express their style and spirit through artwork. Choosing the right piece can transform a space and add one's own signature to a home. For others, they may be redecorating, celebrating a milestone, adding to an existing collection, or simply falling in love with a piece or artist and feeling a strong connection to the work." 

"I always advocate buying art you love. It’s easy to get drawn into trends, look for pieces in a specific size, or try to match an interior scheme - but you want to find artworks that open up a dialogue with you and keep you emotionally interested. You don’t need to overthink the reason why you love something; just look for that connection." 

"There are also practical considerations. If you’re buying for your own home, think about how you want that space to feel. An artwork can totally shift the character of a room, so imagine how it will impact the rest of your home. Bringing photographs of the space, room measurements, and clear images of other artworks the piece might sit alongside will help guide your choices." 

"Beyond that, consider the artist’s practice, the quality of the piece, provenance, and of course, your budget. When visiting a show like the Annual Open Exhibition, you can browse knowing that every piece has been selected by an expert panel with years of experience. That seal of approval is already in place, so buyers can feel confident in their personal choice." 

"Every purchase of an artwork or edition makes a huge difference to an artist’s practice and life. Financially, it supports their career, but it also shows the artist that their work is connecting with viewers-which is a powerful personal and professional endorsement." 

If you are interested in purchasing original artwork or editions from our Annual Open or would like to find out more about collecting art, we are hosting a series of late-openings as well as events throughout the exhibition.  

These include artist-led exhibition tours and events with Alice Kettle RWA, Jemma Appleby RWA, and curator and art historian James Russell as well as invited artist Mohammad Barrangi. 

Click here to explore the Annual Open and associated events  

173rd Annual Open, 12 September – 3rd January 2026