Sunday, May 19, 2019

Call for Entries: Royal Society of Marine Artists Annual Exhibition 2019

The Royal Society of Marine Artists has issued the Call for Entries for its Annual Exhibition in October 2019. They want to see submissions of art inspired by the sea and marine environment.

The exhibition has a variety of styles around the topic of the marine environment

 Three good reasons to consider an entry if you like painting anything marine-orientated is that:
  • this is an exhibition which ALWAYS attracts a lot of people interested in buying marine artwork. 
  • It also has a LOT of decent prizes (see below for the list and purpose of each)
  • In 2018, the prizes were dominated by wins by the non-members - which is always good to see for those who submit work via the open entry.
The Exhibition of some 400 artworks opens to the public on Thursday 10 October and closes Saturday 19 October, 5pm (Hours 10am to 5pm)

RSMA 2018: Main Gallery

Call for Entries


Below you can find
  • a summary of how to enter the next annual exhibition.
  • a list of prizes
  • an archive of posts about past exhibitions - which contain a lot of images of the type of artwork that gets selected for exhibition.
You can also see two videos of the 2018 Exhibition on my (public) Facebook Page
The RSMA seeks submissions of art inspired by the sea and marine environment
If you want to get your artwork into an exhibition then it needs to very good, on topic and it needs to be NEW.
Whilst much of our work is representational in the broadest sense, our styles, choice of subject matter and painting medium vary enormously. Some of our Members specialise in thoroughly researched historical subjects, others capture the thrill of modern yacht racing; some enjoy muddy creeks and quiet harbours, others find beauty in super-tankers and cargo vessels; some find inspiration on the deep sea, others explore what's under the sea.
Three reasons why artwork regularly does not make it into an art exhibition are:
  • seen before - in another exhibition (the equivalent of dissing your host!)
  • not presented well (poor framing can undermine good painting - and it's not very "professional")
  • not dry (need one say more?)
In summary:
  • this is an OPEN EXHIBITION which tends to display paintings, drawings, sculpture and prints.
    • Both members of the RSMA and other artists are invited to submit artwork for consideration.
    • Submissions are welcomed from any artist (over the age of 18) producing artwork on a marine theme
  • There is a constraint the type of artwork that can be submitted
    Subject matter must be essentially marine in nature, relating in some way to tidal waters of the world; topographical, historical, still life, and figure painting are all welcomed. Works relating to non-tidal rivers, inland lakes and waterways etc are not permissible.
  • what you can submit:
    • Acceptable media: Oil, acrylic, watercolour, original prints of any media, mixed media, drawings, pastels, or sculpture.
      • All paintings should be completely dry at the time of delivery / handling (that's code for "they won't get hung or even make it out of the basement if they are not")
      • Fine art prints must be from a limited edition not exceeding fifty.
    • Size constraint: artwork must not be larger than 2.4m along longest dimension.
    • Maximum number of works: 6 (submitted); 4 (hung) i.e. if you enter more than 4 you'll have a lot of journeys back and to
    • All work must be for sale.
      • priced to include commission of 45%+VAT
      • Minimum price: £300
      • Minimum price for prints - unframed £120, framed £200.
      • Artists from outside the UK may need to register for VAT as well
Pricing example: a £500 price if sold generates £212 less travelling/courier costs for the artist after (1) commission of £225 (2) VAT on commission of £45 (3) entry fee of £18
TIP: In terms of pricing you can still see some of the 2018 artworks - with details of medium, size and prices - on the Mall Galleries website - although unfortunately you can't see the sold prices except by matching them up with the online catalogue of last year's exhibition
  • All entries are via digital submission 
    • Images must be in JPEG format and under 5MB 
    • Deadline for entries is 12 noon on Friday 6 July, 2019 12 noon 
    • Submission fee: £18 per work (or £12 per work for artists aged 35 or under), which includes Free Admission to the exhibition (normally £4). There are different arrangements for pieces involving foundry work. 
    • Artists submitting work from outside the UK and EU must be registered for VAT BEFORE they submit online.
  • Selection Process has stages:
    • Stage 1: Pre-selection from online entries - notification available Friday 12 July 2019, 12 noon
    • Stage 2 - Receiving Day: Artists who pass Stage 1 are invited to deliver their artwork to The Mall Galleries, London for final selection (on Saturday 10 August 2019 10am to 5pm)
    • Stage 3: Final Selection of actual artwork in front of a selection panel of RSMA members. Results will be announced online on at 12 noon on 13th August 2019
You can also find details of how to enter on the Mall Galleries 'Call for Entries' page for this exhibition. 

For full terms and conditions, click here.


RSMA 2018: Paintings and sculpture in the Threadneedle Space at the Mall Galleries


Prizes & Awards 


You can see which artists and artworks won awards last year in my post last October - Review: 73rd Annual Exhibition of the Royal Society of Marine Artists

The Awards presentation this year will be on 10th October 2019 - in the afternoon.

Note: Well done to the RSMA for having a PROPER Page on their website for links to their sponsors - with external links to their websites Facebook Page and Twitter account!  I'm always bemused by art societies who bemoan the fact they struggle to get sponsors and then fail to give them a proper 'payback' via their website and a profile in terms of announcements re prizes. Lots of other art societies would do well to follow the lead of the RSMA.

Awards by Marine Organisations

  • The Baltic Exchange Award (£2000) - For an outstanding work in the exhibition, selected by the Society’s President on behalf of Baltic Exchange, a membership organisation at the heart of the maritime community providing services relied upon worldwide.
  • NEW The Murray's Commercial Fishing Award (£500) For a work in any medium depicting commercial fishing
  • The Topbond Marine Award (£250) - For works depicting marine engineering or construction activities in harbours, estuaries or marine waters within the UK.
  • The Classic Boat Prize - The winner will take home a handsome, hand-crafted sculpture by Astins Sailing Sculptures, given for the most atmospheric depiction of a classic boat.

Awards by RSMA & Members

  • The Kenneth Denton Award (£500) - For a work on the theme 'The Sea in all its Moods'. Made possible by the generosity of long-standing member Kenneth Denton.
  • The Charles Pears Award (£500) - For an outstanding work, in any medium, by a non-member. To be judged by the RSMA Selection Committee.
  • NEW The RSMA Award for the Best Small Painting (£300) - For a work in any medium measuring no more than 30cms (12") along its longest length (excluding frame). Made possible by the generosity of a member.
  • The RSMA New Generation Award (£250 and a dedicated page in the catalogue featuring the winning work and a short biography) - Open to all artists aged 35 or under at the close of submissions.
  • The Derek Gardner 'Sea and Sky' Award (£150) - For a work on the theme 'Sea and Sky'. Given by Mary Gardner in memory of her husband, past member Derek Gardner.

Publicity Awards (Galleries & Magazines)

  • The Sea Pictures Gallery Award: Working Relationships (£250) - For a work depicting the working side of the marine environment. Any medium or sculpture.
  • The Artist Magazine Award (Feature article in The Artist magazine) - For the most deserving work, as judged by the Magazine. The winner will be interviewed for a feature in The Artist magazine, print and digital edition. 

Media Awards

  • The Winsor and Newton Oil Prize ( £250 worth of Winsor & Newton materials to be chosen by the winner) - For a notable oil painting.
  • The Russell and Chapple Prize (£100 worth of canvas supplies and bar supplies) - Russell and Chapple, a specialist supplier of canvas and stretcher bars for nearly 250 years, is proud to present their prize for an outstanding work in oils or acrylics.
  • The R K Burt Paper Prize - High quality artist paper for a work on paper

Archive of posts about past annual exhibitions


Posted by Making A Mark on Sunday, May 19, 2019
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