The RWA's renowned Annual Open Exhibition returns for its 168th year with a stunning variety of work from emerging and established artists.

This dynamic and varied exhibition invites painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, sculpture, installation and mixed media submissions and is a showcase of some of the most exciting artists from across the country and beyond.

All work is for sale, making the Annual Open a perfect opportunity to discover new artists or invest in well-known names.  

Always popular with art lovers, last year’s spectacular exhibition attracted over 10,000 visitors. This year's Annual Open will include work by our invited artists Rebecca Salter PRA and Frank Bowling OBE RA as well as the RWA’s own Academicians. 

A selection panel assesses every entry and last year 657 works by 451 artists made it into the final exhibition. This year's selectors include RWA Academicians Fiona Robinson, Ros Ford, Seyed Edalatpour and Wendy Elia, alongside artist and gallerist Zavier Ellis, writer and curator Anna McNay and Bridget Riley Art Foundation Curator at the British Museum Isabel Seligman.

Find out more about this exhibition on Twitter: #RWA168

Information for participating artists

If you have submitted to this year's Open Exhibition, you can view your entry here. Further information for participating artists can be found here. 

Tickets

Exhibition Opening Times

Please note that the RWA's current opening times are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, from 11am-1pm and 1pm-3pm. Tickets must be booked in advance. Book now for our current exhibition Wilhelmina Barns-Graham and the Artists of St Ives.

The RWA as a Charity

The Annual Open reflects the RWA’s ongoing commitment to championing world-class art in the region and creating opportunities for new and emerging talent. Income from submissions is a vital source of support for the RWA, an independent charity (1070163), in order to maintain its historically significant building, present its ambitious programme of exhibitions and deliver creative opportunities for young people and adults across Bristol.

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