Society of Women Artists - Annual Exhibition entry details

The Society of Female Artists was founded in 1857 because in the UK in the mid-nineteenth century, women were not considered to be serious contributors to the field of art. Consequently they had great difficulty in obtaining a public showing of their work. The Society was created with the aim of providing an opportunity for female artists to exhibit their work. At the first exhibition, 149 women showed 358 works, some hiding their true identities under a pseudonym.

The group - now known as the Society of Women Artists - has held an annual exhibition in London of the work of women artists ever since and will be holding its 148th Annual Exhibition at the Mall Galleries between 23rd April and 2nd May this year (note this is earlier than in previous years).

The Society continues to encourage variety and versatility and has some of the finest contemporary women artists, from all over the world, sustaining a reputation for excellence.

You can see a list of the women who are members here.

President and Vice Presidents' Choice Award 2008
Hot Shoe Shuffle by Christine Russell

Society of Women Artists - 148th Annual Exhibition

The website provides details of how to exhibit and become a member. You can images of the award winners in 2008 on the website

All work must be for sale (unless commissioned) and minimum prices have been set for different types of work (details on the schedule of entry). Prices should include commission of 40%.

Categories of work and media which are acceptable are: Painting, pastel, etchings, pencil drawing, sculpture in all media; miniature work in all media, ceramics of a non-utilitarian nature, engraving, lithography, etc. Etchings must sow their plate indentations. Commercially printed line work or photographically/digitally reproduced work printed with commercial machines (such as giclee work) is not admissable.

All pictures must be labelled and securely framed in frames which are stout and capable of accepting mirror plates at the back for hanging purporses. There should be no hanging hooks or any projections whatsoever on the back of frames to prevent damage to other pictures in the stacks. Well presented box canvases are acceptable. Types of frame which are inadmissable are: metal frames; glazed works with unprotected edges; non-reflective glass; In addition, frames and mounts of unusual colour, size or design may prejudice the chances of a work being hung.

Key dates for the 2009 Annual Exhibition are:

• The Receiving Days for 2009: Friday 6th March and Saturday 7th March 2009. All work - and completed and signed schedules of entry - must be delivered to The Federation of British Artists, 17 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5BD between 10am - 5pm (See Google Map for location)
  
• Hand out of unselected work: 13th and 14th March

Associate membership of the Society is by election only. The first step towards becoming an Associate member (ASWA) is by submitting work regularly for the Annual Open Exhibition for consideration by the Selection Committee. Six works must be submitted if seeking Associateship of which up to four will be hung.

The Submission fees for non-members are £12 per work entered and must be paid at the time of delivery of the work.

This year Gloria Hunniford will be opening the exhibition and presenting the awards. She will also be presenting a new award - The Caron Keating Art Award in recognition of her daughter Caron who after a tragically shortened career as a TV personality and presenter, died of cancer in 2004.

Links:

• Society of Women Artists website
• SWA Annual Exhibition
• how to exhibit and become a member
• award winners in 2008
• SWA 2008 gallery