Meet the 173 Annual Open Selectors: Sheryll Catto
Taking place between 12 September 2026 and 3 January 2027, our Annual Exhibition features both emerging talent and established names, spanning painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, architecture, sculpture, and mixed-media installation. It represents some of the most exciting artists working across the UK and beyond today.
Selection is overseen by a panel of guest experts alongside RWA Academicians. This year, we are delighted to welcome Sheryll Catto, Ceri Hand, and Paul Hedge as our guest panellists.
As Artistic Director and CEO of ActionSpace, Sheryll Catto has spent years dismantling the margins around learning-disabled artists. Her work is not about inclusion rhetoric but infrastructure - building studios, support systems, and professional pathways that treat artistic practice as serious, sustained labour. (Alt Power 100, Artlyst, December 2025).
We caught up with Sheryll to find out more about her work with ActionSpace, the importance of representation in visual arts and her thoughts about the Annual Open.
ActionSpace has made a massive contribution to the development and creative achievements of many people, most recently Nnena Kalu who won the Turner Prize – how do you support artists on their journey?
Our approach is entirely artist-led. We provide artists with the materials, equipment, studio space, and one-to-one creative mentoring they need to develop their practice. Across our three dedicated studios in South, Central, and North London, artists work in professional environments that support both independent practice and connection to the wider visual arts sector.
A long-term commitment to our artists is at the heart of what we do. We believe in sustained support that allows practices to evolve and deepen over time. Nnena’s journey is a powerful testament to this approach. Our Head of Artist Development, Charlotte Hollinshead, has been working with her for nearly 30 years.
Nnena’s Turner Prize win marks a significant milestone. It demonstrates that learning disabled artists are not only capable - they are exceptional - and deserve equal visibility and recognition within the art world. This is not about special treatment, but about access to the right support, consistently provided over time. For us, it is a meaningful validation of over 40 years of advocacy.
Nnena is one of 70 artists we support each week, all with distinct practices and ambitions. We hope her recognition is just the beginning, and we remain committed to supporting every artist we work with in achieving their goals.
I am excited to see the work submitted [for the 173 Annual Open Exhibition] this year and keen to encourage more neurodivergent and learning disabled artists to submit, as this is a fantastic opportunity to have their work seen and raise their profile.
How do you enable artists to sell and exhibit their work?
Each of our studio artists has at least one opportunity each year to exhibit their work. Some choose not to sell their artwork, and we fully respect and support that decision.
We organise an annual selling exhibition at our Central London studio, which continues to grow in both popularity and success. We also submit artists’ work to open-call exhibitions, with strong results - work by ActionSpace artists has been selected for and sold at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition for the past six years.
Through a wide network of partners across the cultural sector, we create and develop exhibition and professional opportunities for ActionSpace artists, supporting their visibility and progression within the wider art world.
What do you think is the most important way to facilitate a creative practice?
Each ActionSpace artist works closely with one of our experienced facilitators over many years, receiving tailored mentoring and practical support. Sessions are not taught or co-created; instead, they provide focused time and space for artists to explore and develop their own ideas independently. Regular attendance fosters a sense of security and builds meaningful social connection. For many, it is a rare environment where they can make choices, express themselves freely, and say “no”- something often missing from other areas of their lives.
We operate at a highly professional level, valuing and respecting each artist’s work accordingly. This is distinct from creative activity that might take place in a day centre or at home. Our artists work within a contemporary, professional studio environment, placing them on equal footing with other artists across the wider creative sector.
Being part of the selection panel for the RWA’s Annual Open Exhibition, what are you most looking forward to?
I visited the RWA Annual Open Exhibition last year and I was impressed by the range and quality of the work. I am excited to see the work submitted this year and keen to encourage more neurodivergent and learning disabled artists to submit, as this is a fantastic opportunity to have their work seen and raise their profile.
Learn more about ActionSpace and their work.