Exhibiting with the RWA…

My Experience exhibiting with the RWA - Royal West of England Academy

Through a bit of hand holding and encouragement, I sent images of 3 of my sculptures for selection to the RWA 169th Annual Open exhibition in Bristol.

It took me awhile to choose what I wanted to send to the selectors and to see if I would be available all the dates for hand in (if chosen) and hand back.

I left myself enough time to gather information needed on the work – dimensions, weight, decent photographs, descriptions, and of course prices.  I knew I would have a few sleepless nights wondering if I made any mistakes with the application so kept my options open before I pressed the final button.

I was shocked when one of my sculptures was selected!  The RWA sent options on how the work could be delivered and I wasted no time in choosing where I would drop off and paid the courier immediately. 

No procrastinating for me!

There was fantastic communication from the RWA throughout the process.  I was a newbie and tried to find the drop off self-storage in London 3 hours early and went into panic mode as I couldn’t find it on google maps.  I eventually found a place to sit and rest in what was an unknown area of London for me and phoned the RWA.  I didn’t want to appear needy but the person on the other end of the phone was patient and kind and assured me the pickup would be there during the designated hours.  In my eagerness, I got to the location way too early so I had to wait a few hours and eventually dropped off my sculpture to lovely people who were very experienced and kind. I knew my precious sculpture would be treated well.

So, one hurdle cleared, but now how was I going to get to the “Varnishing Day”.  Bristol is not a city I’m familiar with nor did I want to travel there on my own.  Luckily, I got in touch with colleagues who had shown work with the RWA previously and they agreed to take me with them.  I forgot to add my name onto the Private View guest list (thinking I wouldn’t be able to attend) so more stepping out of my comfort zone and emailed the RWA organizers explaining my situation and they graciously allowed me onto the evening PV list. 

I worried that I was making a very bad first impression.

I was so impressed with the building housing the exhibition and its location in Bristol. We were greeted by people checking the varnishing guest list and were ushered up a glorious staircase where there were more people serving drinks before entry into the actual exhibition.

I was awestruck; lost for words on entering the high-ceilinged magnificent exhibition hall.  The room was quite large with paintings on walls and sculptures on plinths dotted about the room.  I floated into the next vast room which was a continuation of the first and spotted my sculpture sharing a plinth with Dorcas Casey RWA and Gina Baum.  I was in a daze and floated into the room on the right which was curated with black and white sculptures, paintings, and prints, then into another room with colourful paintings and prints, housing work by the then Prince of Wales. Then into a smaller room showcasing delicate work. 

Out again past the bar and into a small side gallery which housed work by artists shortlisted for admittance into the RWA.

The private view evening was busy and noisy, and I was still in shock at being part of such a beautiful and sensitively curated exhibition. 

A huge thank you to the organizers, volunteers, and members of the RWA for putting on such a magnificent show.