Call for Entries for Society of Women Artists Annual Exhibition 2018

The Deadline for the Call for Entries for the 2018 Annual Open Exhibition of the Society of Women Artists is 22nd June 2018. So just under two weeks left to get an entry ready.

Below you can find:

• who is eligible to enter
• what types of artwork are eligible
• how to enter - with key dates
• details of the exhibition

Last year I commented that the SWA has made huge progress with its exhibition in recent years. Do read my review of last year's exhibition for a summary of the ways in which it has changed.

I remarked yesterday evening that they've moved further faster than any other national art society I know.

This year, to date, apart from a change in President, there's just one difference so far - I've been invited to judge one of the prizes!

If you're wondering what the exhibition is like below you can see the video I made of last year's exhibition

Who can enter

• There is no stated restriction on who can enter. However this is an exhibition of work by women artists!
• Women artists under the age of 35 are judged to be young artists and can submit work at a reduced fee of  £8 per work.

A corner of last year's exhibition

What you can enter

Categories of work which are acceptable:

• paintings, pastels, drawings;
• mixed media
• sculpture, in all media; 
• Original unique printing is acceptable e.g. engraving, lithography. Etchings must show their plate indentations. Commercially printed line work or photographically/digitally reproduced work printed with commercial machines (such as giclée work) is NOT admissible. 
• ceramics, glass and metal not of a utilitarian nature. 

Prints Wall at last year's exhibition

How to enter

Closing date: 12 noon on 22nd June 2018 (the Call for Entries has been open since 16 February 2018)

This is the General Terms and Condition Sheet for Non-Members (PDF)

• ENTRY: Entry is digital and online by the deadline for entry.  Artists may upload images of their work online at http://mallgalleries.oess.uk/. 
• SELECTION: Pre-selection is online. 
• Online pre-selection enables artists to submit works for initial consideration without transport and framing costs.
• Works that are pre-selected are not automatically accepted for the exhibition.
• The selectors will choose works to be delivered on Receiving Day, to be judged at final selection. 
• HANDING IN: Saturday 28 July, 10am - 5pm at the FBA Offices 17 Carlton House Terrace.
• The Society of Women Artists entry schedule (pdf) must accompany all works on receiving day. 
• all work must be labelled at the back using the approved labels for the exhibition 
• You need to print the pdf form and labels and complete by hand. You can actually type straight in to the form and the labels by inserting the cursor - but it's not obvious. Just keep clicking until a box comes up with two blue dots either side

Mall Galleries Receiving Day at 17 Carlton House Terrace - down the stairs

• SELECTION: The works selected for exhibition will be published on 1 August
• PRICES: All work must be for sale (unless commissioned). 
• Prices should allow for commission charged at 40% for members and 45% for non-members. 
• There are specific minimum prices for different types of work
• £350 for all hanging works
• £350 for 3D works.  
• £150 for framed etchings or lithography or drawings.
• PRESENTATION:  All pictures must be securely framed, although well presented box canvases are acceptable.  All frames must be wide enough and stout enough to accept the mirror plates (which are supplied and attached by the Mall Galleries) which are screwed in at the back of the frame for hanging purposes. Terms and conditions prohibit specific types of frames.
• STORAGE: Note in particular arrangements re. storage and storage charges for entries and exhibits not collected at the correct time.

157th Exhibition of the SWA

Private View - SWA Exhibition 2017

The 157th Exhibition opens to the public at 4pm on 25th September.

It will be officially opened by Her Royal Highness Princess Michael of Kent at the Private View on Wednesday, 26th September at 11am.

• Venue: the Main and North Galleries of the Mall Galleries in the Mall, London
• Dates: Tuesday 25 September to Sunday 30 September 10am to 5pm daily - EXCEPT it opens at 4pm on the 25th and closes at 3pm on the 30th September
• Admission: 
• £4 or £6 with an exhibition catalogue, 
• 50% off for National Art Pass holder, 
• Free for Friends of Mall Galleries and under 18s

See the blog posts below for more about past exhibitions

• VIDEO Society of Women Artists Annual Exhibition 2017 - which highlights pieces which caught my attention
• Review: Society of Women Artists Annual Exhibition 2017 - which highlights changes made to the exhibition
• Review: Society of Women Artists Annual Exhibition 2016
• Review - Society of Women Artists Annual Exhibition 2015

More about Women and Art

I've written a fair few blog posts about Women and Art in the past, including

• Women and Art -a compendium of links to a wealth of television and articles online about Women and Art.
• Why women succeed at representing artists 12 Oct 2006 Called "Space Women", it's about why women are successful at running galleries and dealing in the contemporary art world.
• 500 years of female portraits in western art 31 May 2007
• Three women artists win Threadneedle ... 16 May 2011 No - these were female professional artists in mid career between the ages of 35 and 50 for whom the Threadneedle Prize was an important stage in the development of both their art and their career.
• Shortlist for Threadneedle Prize 2011 dominated by women ... 08 Sep 2011