The South West Academy


	Open Exhibition 2019 Call for Entries Click here to enter work online. For a short video on how to prepare work for delivery Click here.


	BECOME A FRIEND OF THE ACADEMY! Support the Academy, and enjoy Invitations to private views/one free catalogue per year/discounts or free access to artist-led talks and workshops/e-newsletter/advance notice of events. Click here to find out more.


	APPLICATION FOR ACADEMY MEMBERSHIP The Selection Panel normally meets annually in January. Applications should be received by December 3rd prior to the Panel meeting. Guidelines for applying for Academy Membership (click here). Guidelines for applying for Associate Membership (click here).

The South West Academy is a registered charity dedicated to advancing the creation and appreciation of art in the South West of Britain. Its core membership, the academicians, are outstanding practitioners of fine and applied arts with varied practices, backgrounds and styles.

The Academy works to contribute to the cultural life of our region through an annual calendar of exhibitions and events. Each year the Academy holds two large-scale exhibitions: early in the year, the Academicians Exhibition showcases the work of its members. This is followed by the annual Open Exhibition, a juried show which invites entries from anyone in the region.

The Open Exhibition features the Young Artists Award, part of the Academy's ongoing programme of work with schools and young people.

The Annual Drecki Lecture is a presentation given by outstanding artists and others in the field of the arts, and has even taken the form of a dramatic presentation.

The work of the Academy is made possible by the the generous support from a range of sponsors. Practical, financial and artistic support comes from the Friends of the Academy, whose efforts have underpinned the organisation from its beginnings.

If you're interested in becoming a Friend of the Academy, you can find out more here. If you are interested in volunteering for an event please get in touch via the Contact page.

You can find out more about the history and mission of the Academy on the Academy Page - and browse recent events on our news page.


	The South West Academy's new publication, Art, People, Place is a lavishly illustrated book full featuring high-quality reproductions of the work of our academicians, and gives a fascinating insight into their private worlds and the history of the Academy. It can be found in selected book shops and also via this website. Click here to find out more.


Works For Sale		Academicians		Young Artists



Browse through many works for sale by Academicians, including paintings and sculpture more >		Explore the work and backgrounds of the South West Academy's Academicians. more >		View work by winners and runners up of the SWAc's Young Artist Award more >

Join the SWAc mailing list and keep up with the Academy's events - contact us via the contact page

Visit our Facebook page and Twitter.

News Headlines

◉ Prominent UK abstract painter and SWAc Academician, Charlie O’Sullivan will be joining together with her daughter Izzie O’Sullivan, a recent 1st class honours graduate of Goldsmiths College, for an exclusive exhibition at the Marine House at Beer from 2nd – 15th November 2019

◉ Academy Trustee, Simon Butler will be launching his book A Manaton Century in an exhibition of art and photographs from 7th–22nd Sept at Neadon Barn, Manaton, TQ13 9UY

◉ Academician David Norman inspired Friends of the Academy at his studio.

◉ Academician Ann Roe reviews the opening of Lyme Bay Arts at the Gallery, Symondsbury. Academician Phil Clayton is the Artistic Director of the Gallery.

◉ Judith Jones SWAc: Newly elected Academician, Judith Jones has two works shortlisted for the Westmorland Art Prize.

◉ Alan Cotton Hon. SWAc will be exhibiting at Brook Gallery, Budleigh Salterton from 5th September - 1st October. There will be a special event on September 18th for the launch Alan's new book with Jenny Pery.

◉ Alan Cotton Hon. SWAc will be exhibiting at Messums Gallery from the 14 September to the 5th October.

◉ Read the latest summer exhibition news from Honorary Academician Peter Randall-Page

◉ Friends of the Academy: Become a Friend or Best Friend of the Academy

Upcoming Exhibitions

Open Exhibition
Exeter Castle Exeter

November 12th - 23rd 2019

Exhibition Archive

Catch up with our recent and past exhibitions here:

Open Exhibitions

2018 A Short Film on In Celebration of Women ➙

2018 Talk on Olive Hockin ➙

2018 View catalogue ➙

2018 Watch Film ➙

2017 View catalogue ➙

South West Academy at Thelma Hulbert

2019 Cartoon Workshop ➙

2019 Watch Film ➙

2019 Memory Cafe Workshop ➙

2019 Press Release ➙

2018 Watch Film ➙

2017 Watch Film ➙

South West Academy at Delamore

2019 Watch Film ➙

2018 Watch Film ➙

2017 Watch Film ➙

2016 Watch Film ➙

South West Academy at Penwith

2016 Watch Film ➙

2020 Watch This Space

The South West Academy of Fine and Applied Arts
Registered Charity No. 1087350
Company Registration No. 4243361
A charitable company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales
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