The RWA Secret Postcard Auction 2025
24 October - 06 November 2025
The much anticipated RWA Secret Postcard Auction returns this Autumn!
Key dates for your diary:
Online bidding: 24 October - 06 November 2025
Kenny Gallery Exhibition: 28 October - 06 November 2025
What is the Secret Postcard Auction?
The RWA Secret Postcard Auction, held annually, invites artists to create a postcard size artwork to be auctioned, in secret.
The funds raised help support the RWA, a registered charity, in our mission to create life long journeys with art.
The Secret Postcard auction has over 350 brand-new artworks up for grabs. Our past community of supporters has included:
Past Secret Postcard artists have included:
- Sir Frank Bowling OBE RA RWA (Hon)
- Bob and Roberta Smith OBE RA
- Gilbert & George
- Jeremy Deller
- Sir James Dyson OM CBE
- Maggi Hambling
- Chris Riddell OBE
- Kaffe Fassett MBE
- Luke Jerram RWA (Hon)
- Peter Lord CBE
- Grayson Perry
- Jem Southam
The online auction reaches 100,000+ people from the UK and around the world. To celebrate our 10th anniversary, this year the cards will be on display in our beautiful upstairs Kenny Gallery, offering a stunning showcase.
Save the date for this-not-to-miss-event and read our FAQ here
Why Support the RWA?
The RWA receives no regular public funding at all, and we rely on fundraising events such as the Secret Postcard Auction so that we can continue to bring great art to Bristol. The RWA plays a vital role in Bristol, supporting artists long-term and offering 900+ exhibition opportunities each year. With your support, our ambitious new strategy will help more artists develop their careers and practice, and will further allow us to work in partnership with many underserved communities across Bristol. Our fundraising supports our engagement work, reaching those who face major barriers to engaging with art. Working with SEN-D children and families, adults with complex needs and people facing profound social or economic barriers we bring the joy, confidence and connection of creativity to those who might otherwise miss out.
The Secret Postcard Auction is one of our favourite times of year. It’s about sharing some great art, having great fun, and supporting the RWA for the year ahead. All the proceeds go towards our exhibition programme and the engagement work we deliver in our building and across Bristol. Thank you for getting involved and we look forward to seeing you in the future.
Ren Renwick, Director
#RWASecretPostcard
Image: Montage Secret Postcards 2023
The Secret Postcard Auction is kindly sponsored by Nicholls Stevens
With additional support by St Cuthberts Mill and the Printco
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