For two centuries, the Royal Scottish Academy (RSA) has championed the visionary artists and architects who have shaped and defined Scotland’s rich cultural landscape. In commemoration of this extraordinary milestone, we are proud to present Celebrating Together, a landmark bicentennial exhibition that honours a cross-border legacy of artistic excellence, mutual inspiration, and creative dialogue. This exhibition brings together a remarkable collection of works spanning the last 200 years, showcasing the evolution of artistic practice through the eyes of past and present Academicians from both the RSA and the Royal West of England Academy (RWA). 
  
"Bringing these two historic academies together allows us to explore how geographically separate communities talk to each other through a shared visual vocabulary. The dialogue between our historical masters and active contemporary voices underscores how deeply our cultural landscapes remain intertwined." - Janette Kerr PPRWA HRSA, Exhibition Curator 

The dynamic exhibition framework includes works created by artists currently working in the South West of England who maintain profound professional or personal connections to Scotland. Featured contemporary artists include Janette Kerr PPRWA HRSA, Gareth Fisher PRSA RWA (Hon), Debbie Lee RWA, Will Maw RWA, and Midge Naylor RWA. 

Alongside this, iconic selections have been drawn directly from the RWA’s Permanent Collection, celebrating foundational figures who bridged these two historic institutions, featuring renowned twentieth-century masters such as Dame Elizabeth Blackadder RSA RA RWA, Alastair Flattely RWA, Ian Fleming RWA,  James Martin RWA, Arthur Edwards Milne ARWA,  Anne Redpath RSA RWA and Margaret Thomas RWA.

By placing these historical and contemporary pieces in direct conversation, Celebrating Together underscores an enduring truth: art transcends physical borders. Through mutual exchange, shared artistic traditions, and an unyielding commitment to innovation, the RSA and RWA continue to foster a vibrant, interconnected community that shapes the landscape of British art today.