Varnishing Day is a highlight of being selected for the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition and this year, despite the train strikes, I managed to get down for a day of excitement at the Academy.
A bit about the Summer Exhibition:
The Royal Academy's Summer Exhibition has for more than 250 years given amateur artists the chance to have their work displayed at its prestigious London headquarters. It presents an unparalleled opportunity for amateur artists to have their work publicly displayed and then purchased, although entries are capped at 16,500 and competition is fierce - this year, more than 11,000 people submitted work but less than 10% were successful.
A bit about Varnishing Day:
Historically, artists would visit the galleries to add final touches to their work in situ. Today, Varnishing Day remains a part of the Summer tradition, but it’s now mostly a day to celebrate the artists in the show. Before visiting the show, the artists gather in the courtyard, form a procession down Piccadilly led by a steel band, then attend an artists’ blessing at St. James’s church.
I was absolutely delighted to see my works hung together in gallery VII selected by artist Eileen Cooper OBE RA. She has hung my work in previous years so I am honoured she has chosen my work again. I am also in good company, hung on the same wall as my university tutor John Hewitt.
Here’s my work in situ:
