THE 157th SWA EXHIBITION 2018
The SWA exhibition was held at The Mall Galleries in London and opened on Tuesday 25th September and ran until Sunday 30th September. The exhibition opened with the Young People’s Art Initiative fundraising jazz and wine evening led by our President, Soraya French and sponsored by The Arts Society. Here, two speakers enlightened us with their knowledge, Dr Florian Schweizer (The Arts Society CEO) and Lesley Samms (Pure Arts Group MD). Money raised will be used towards the Young People’s Art Initiative, which we launched last year.
The exhibition was officially opened by our Patron, HRH Princess Michael of Kent during the Private View on the morning of Wednesday 26th September. Due to unexpected road closures, Princess Michael had to abandon her car and walk part of the way. Her Royal Highness was also kind enough to present the awards.
Of the 1647 digital submissions that we received, 448 were selected to be shown, 13 artists received awards and 34 artworks were sold during the exhibition. Many positive comments were made with regard to the diverse range and the quality of the artworks. We are thrilled with Katherine Tyrell’s great blog about the exhibition. If you have not seen it yet, this can be found at https://makingamark.blogspot.com/2018/09/review-society-of-women-artists-annual-exhibition-2018.html.
Anthony Lester, an art critic congratulated Soraya for a “very well
balanced, beautifully displayed contemporary art exhibition”.
HRH Princess Michael of Kent presenting awards
2018 EXHIBITION AWARDS
HRH Princess Michael Of Kent Watercolour Award - Bernadette Marbrow For Siblings
President And Vice Presidents Award - Jessica Arevalo For Resolution 365
£2000 SWA Special Fine Art Award For 2D/3D Work - Rebecca Fontaine-Wolfe For Body Of Work
£1000 Karen Walkers Prize For A Young Artist - Eleanor Johnson For Woman.
£500 SWA Fine Art Award In Any Medium - Irene Lees
£1000 Derwent Special Fine Art Award Of Material - Caroline Wong For Little Boy's Suit
Barbara Tate Memorial Award - Patsy Whiting For Body Of Work
£500 Premium Art Brands Materials To A Young Artist - Gail Mason For Rip Tide
£500 Great Art Materials For Most Innovative Work - Christine Taherian For Memories
£300 Cavendish Venues Sculpture Award - Alison Allum
The St. Cuthbert’s Paper Mill Award Works On Paper - Marjorie Collins For Three Plums In A Copper Bowl
The Artist Editor’s Choice Award - Rosalind Robinson For Her Body Of Work
Rosemary & Co. £100 Brushes For Any Work On Canvas Or Paper - Zen's Assi For The Great Smog