Bath Society of Artists 111th Annual Exhibition at Victoria Art Gallery

The prestigious Bath Society of Artists Summer Open exhibition will be hosted at the Victoria Art Gallery from 23 April to 4 April.

Now in its 111th year, the hugely popular exhibition showcases the best of the region’s artistic talent. Any artist aged 18 or over can submit work for possible selection.

Cllr Patrick Anketell-Jones, (Conservative, Lansdown) Cabinet Member for Economic Development, said: “The Bath Society of Artists exhibition is a highlight of Bath’s artistic calendar, with a huge variety of artworks on display, showcasing the breadth of talent in the region. The show is free to local residents with a Discovery Card, and there’s a chance to vote for your favourite work to receive the Public Choice Prize.”

Tim Carroll of the Bath Society of Artists said: "The Bath Society of Artist's Annual Show represents a great opportunity for artists to have their work displayed in a very prestigious setting. It's certainly a thrill to have one's work on the wall at the Victoria Art Gallery and it's our hope that the visitors enjoy the show and find work that interests and excites them."

The Society was founded in 1904 with 26 members. It has grown over the years to a membership of around 120 diverse, talented artists. The annual exhibition, which is open to non-members, attracts more than 1,000 entries and 13,000 visitors. All of the work on show is for sale, and sales have doubled in recent years.

Many distinguished 20th-century painters have exhibited with the Society including Walter Sickert, John Singer Sargent, Philip Wilson Steer, Gilbert Spencer, Patrick Heron, Mary Fedden, William Scott and Howard Hodgkin.

The prizes on offer total more than £3,000, and include the Bath Society of Artists Prize of £1,000, the Money Wise prize of £500 for best landscape, the Bristol Guild Prize of £250 for a 3-D work, and the Harry Walker RWA Young Artist Prize of £250, awarded to artists aged 18 to 25.  There are also smaller prizes for prints, watercolours, small paintings and drawings.

During the exhibition members of the public will be invited to vote for their favourite artwork, with the winner of the Bath Society of Artists Public Choice Prize receiving £500.

Change to opening hours:

From April, the Gallery will be open on Mondays. The new opening hours are:

10.30am-5pm every day (closed 25-26 December and 1 January)

Tickets for the exhibition cost £4 (free to under 21s and holders of Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Discovery Card). Entry to the permanent collection is free.

For more information visit: www.victoriagal.org.uk