Open Art Call | Portraiture
SUBMIT YOUR WORK: https://www.mallgalleries.org.uk/call-for-entries/open-calls/royal-society-portrait-painters-open-call
The Society welcomes paintings, drawings and original prints - including digital/iPad prints - from artists aged 18 and over, from the UK and internationally.
The final exhibition is selected by leading portrait painters and being selected is a mark of distinction. Selected artists will have their work exhibited in a prestigious showcase at Mall Galleries in central London, at which a number of works will sell and a number of commissions will be placed. There is also the chance to win a number of prizes and awards totalling over £40,000.
"The Society’s Annual Open Exhibition is probably the largest and most significant celebration of contemporary portrait painting in Europe. The show is always selected by a jury of practising portrait painters, no critics, no journalists, no celebrities – just painters. The current annual prize fund is more than £40,000, including The William Lock Portrait Prize (£20,000) and The Ondaatje Prize for Portraiture (£10,000). If you make portraits, this is your opportunity to see your work alongside the very best." - Anthony Connolly, President
As a special feature of the show, works on the theme of 'Clothing' will be eligible for The RP Award: a prize of £2,000 for the most interesting and engaging interpretation of the theme within the parameters of portraiture.
How to Submit
All work must be submitted online. Pre-selection from online entries will take place, after which pre-selected works should be delivered to Mall Galleries, London, for final selection:
- Upload images of work at mallgalleries22.oess1.uk between Monday 28 November 2022 and Tuesday 31 January 2023, 12 noon [Note: Images must be in JPEG format and under 5MB]
- Check mallgalleries22.oess1.uk from 12 noon on Friday 10 February 2023 to see if your work has been pre-selected
- If pre-selected, deliver your work for final selection on Saturday 4 March, 10am to 5pm, to Mall Galleries, 17 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5BD
- Check this page from 12 noon on Tuesday 7 March to see if your work has been selected
- If unaccepted, collect your work on Thursday 9 March, 10am to 5pm
Important Dates
Submissions open: Monday 28 November 2022, 12 noon
Submissions close: Tuesday 31 January 2023, 12 noon
Notification of pre-selection: Friday 10 February, 12 noon
Receiving Day: Saturday 4 March, 10am to 5pm
Notification of selection: Tuesday 7 March, 12 noon
Collection of unaccepted work: Thursday 9 March, 10am to 5pm
Exhibition opens: Thursday 4 May, 10am to 5pm daily
Closed on Saturday 6 May for the Royal Coronation
Late night opening, until 8pm, on Thursday 4 May and Wednesday 10 May
Exhibition closes: Saturday 13 May, 5pm
Collection of unsold work: Thursday 18 May, 10am to 5pm
Conditions of Entry
Eligibility
- Any artist over 18 may submit.
- The Society welcomes paintings, drawings and original prints - including digital/iPad prints. Sculpture and photography are not admissible.
- Work must have been completed in the last three years and not been exhibited in London previously.
- If for sale, works must have a minimum sale price of £300 (framed prints: £180, unframed prints: £120 - buyers will not be charged for postage and packaging of unframed prints, so please ensure the price of unframed prints allows for this).
The price of works for sale must include 45%+VAT commission.
- Although the exhibition is an excellent opportunity to sell work, works may be listed as not for sale – if your work is not for sale, please input the price as ‘0’ when prompted.
- A maximum of 4 works can be submitted for selection. A maximum of 3 works will be selected.
- Works should not be larger than 2.4m along the longest dimension.
- Note that artists accepted for exhibition will be invited to advertise portrait commissions through our Commissions service, on which a commission will be payable.
- If your work is on the theme of 'Clothing', for The RP Award, please elaborate in the artwork description box.
Entry Fee
- The submission fee is £20 per work for standard entries and £14 per work for artists aged 35 or under. This includes free admission to the exhibition (normally £5).
