As a keen exhibition-goer, the Royal Academy Summer Show has always been a favourite of mine. It’s a very eclectic mix of artwork: painting, prints, installations, sculpture, architecture, and photography. The Royal Academicians, many famous names, all exhibit at the Summer Show.
It’s a great day out.
Founded in 1768, the RA has a unique position as an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects. Its purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment, and appreciation of fine art through exhibitions, education, and debate.
The first president was Sir Joshua Reynolds; Rebecca Salter currently holds that office.
The Academy hosts the Summer Exhibition, an annual open art exhibition, which means anyone can enter their work to be considered. Established in 1769, it’s the oldest and largest open-submission exhibition in the world and part of London’s Social Season. The members of the Academy, also known as Royal Academicians, select and hang the works. Artworks in a variety of media are exhibited, including painting, sculpture, film, architecture, photography, and printmaking.
It only costs £40 to enter one work. This year, 18,000 people applied. By late March, you hear if you’ve got through the first round. About 4,000 artists are shortlisted and then have to take their work into the RA for the final selection. You hear just three weeks before the opening whether you’ve been successful. About 1,800 artists are finally selected.
YES, YES, I WAS SUCCESSFUL AND THRILLED!!
The theme for 2025 was Dialogue. My submission is an intaglio print; the plate is tetrapak, which has become rather fashionable as it’s recyclable (you may be an experienced printmaker, so I won’t bore you with too much detail).
The print is of a mother and very young child. Having recently been blessed with grandchildren, they’ve become such an important part of my life and have put me back in touch with re-remembered feelings of being a new mum and of my own children. In the print, I wanted to represent these bonds of love, the emotional and physical imperative of being ‘held’, which is so important for us all, both when we’re young and as we get older.
All successful exhibitors were invited down to London on 9th June for Varnishing Day, a tradition that dates back several hundred years. It was a wonderful, affirming experience. I arrived in the large courtyard at Burlington House, where a steel band was playing and lots of artists were milling around, waiting to be led in procession to St James’s Church, Piccadilly (the artists’ church) for a celebratory service.
The vicar arrived fully robed, with several attendants from the church, and we stopped the traffic in Piccadilly as we processed to St James’s. The church hosted an inspiring service celebrating the creativity and imagination of artists and what they bring to the world in terms of inspiration and visual gifts. There were several readings, addresses, and a choir. It was a most uplifting event.
This was followed by a special preview of the Summer Show for exhibitors, washed down with champagne and canapés. It was very special, and a real privilege to see my work up in the Academy. The whole day was joyful.
The print is one of four, and on the first day the Summer Show was open to the public, I had sold the original framed work and one edition.
The show is on until 17th August. Go and have a look. Go and have a try in 2026. You never know!