THE SOCIETY OF WOMEN ARTISTS
2026 EXHIBITION
The Society of Women Artists 165th exhibition
The Society of Women Artists' 165th Annual Exhibition at the Mall Galleries was another outstanding success, celebrating the breadth, quality and diversity of contemporary art by women. Featuring more than 450 works, including paintings, drawings, sculpture, glass, printmaking, ceramics and textiles, the exhibition was praised by visitors for both the exceptional standard of the work and its thoughtful, spacious presentation.
The exhibition continues online throughout the summer, extending opportunities for audiences to discover and purchase work by our artists.
Supporting emerging talent remains central to the Society's mission. This year's exhibition included a specially curated selection of recent graduates from leading art schools, alongside work by students from Heatherley's School of Fine Art and Heathfield School, with additional student work featured online. Bursaries were also provided to help student artists meet the significant costs of exhibiting their work.
The exhibition programme offered visitors much more than the opportunity to view artwork. The week included the Young Artists' Initiative Evening, the Awards Ceremony, artist demonstrations and workshops throughout the week, a public panel discussion exploring the future of women artists, fundraising initiatives, and the ever-popular Visitors' Choice Award, won this year by Pranavi Agarwal for Goddess Mother.
A special highlight was the display of Sally Ward's portrait of the Rt Hon Rachel Reeves MP, recently acquired for the Parliamentary Art Collection following the Society's collaboration with Parliament to mark its 170th anniversary. The portrait was kindly loaned by the Heritage Collection for display during the exhibition. The exhibition also welcomed members of the Parliamentary community, strengthening an important new partnership for the Society.
The Society is deeply grateful to its sponsors, whose continued generosity, encouragement,and commitment make the Annual Exhibition possible. Through their support of our awards programme, they recognise artistic excellence, celebrate achievement, and provide meaningful encouragement to artists at every stage of their careers. Their partnership plays an invaluable role in the continuing success of the exhibition, and we thank every sponsor for their loyal and valued support.
The success of the exhibition is a testament to the dedication of our members, volunteers, Council, exhibition team, sponsors and the staff at Mall Galleries, whose hard work and commitment made the week possible. Their combined efforts created a vibrant and welcoming exhibition that reflects the Society's enduring commitment to championing excellence in art by women.
2026 AWARD WINNERS
Princess Michael of Kent Award
- A signed certificate
Dr Linda Smith
for ‘Kakapo, Critically Endangered’
Dr Linda Smith - ‘Kakapo, Critically Endangered’
Soraya French - Convergence 2
President and Vice President’s Award
- A signed certificate
Soraya French
for Convergence 2
Special Non-Members’ Award
- Free Entry the following Year
Scarlett Woodman
for ‘Trailing’
Scarlett Woodman - ‘Trailing’
The Tom Urwin Special Fine Art Award
- £2000
Arina Gordienko
for Life in Crimson Flame
Arina Gordienko - Life in Crimson Flame
Karin Walker Young Artist Award 1
- £500
Imogen Hawgood
for ‘Spritz A Go Go’
Imogen Hawgood - ‘Spritz A Go Go’
Karin Walker Young Artist Award 2
- £500
Emilia Symis
for ‘Let me take a photo first’
Emilia Symis - ‘Let me take a photo first’
Karin Walker Best Student Award
- £250
Melissa Magg
for ‘Seething’
Melissa Magg - ‘Seething’
The Contemporary Figurative Painting Award
- £500
Daisy Potter
for Black Dog
Daisy Potter - Black Dog
Helen Sinclair Sculpture Award
- £500
Kristina Haritonova
for her body of work
Kristina Haritonova for her body of work
The Circles of Art Award
- £1000 for artist under 30, plus a feature as artist of the month
Joy Kavanagh
for ‘Withheld’
Joy Kavanagh - ‘Withheld’
The Catto Gallery Award
- £500 and an exhibiting opportunity
Rebecca Swainson
for her body of work
Rebecca Swainston for her body of work
The Artist Editor’s Choice Award
- Feature in The Artist magazine
Sara Gregory
for ‘Woman Of A Certain Age’
Sara Gregory - ‘Woman Of A Certain Age’
The Christopher Seow Student Award
- £300
Ngai Ning Yu
for “I Remember”
Ngai Ning Yu - “I Remember”
The Christopher Seow Student Award
- £250 runner up
Jun Shya
for “Hold Me Like a Melted Candle”
Jun Shya - “Hold Me Like a Melted Candle”
The Christopher Seow Student Award
- Special Commendation
Hattie Quigley
for “In The Belly of the Meadow"
Hattie Quigley - “In The Belly of the Meadow"
The Christopher Seow Student Award
- Special Commendation
Emma Goring
for “Reefscape”
Emma Goring - “Reefscape”
The Christopher Seow Student Award
- Special Commendation
Amy Bradnock
for “Knotted Self”
Amy Bradnock for “Knotted Self”
The SWA Members' Award
- £250
Kayla Martell
for ‘I Wasn’t Supposed to Stop There’
Kayla Martell - ‘I Wasn’t Supposed to Stop There’
Derwent Special Fine Art Award
- £200
Trish Claridge
for “Marvellous Margaret” – A Girl Just Wants To Have Fun, Part 2 of 3”
Trish Claridge - “Marvellous Margaret – A Girl Just Wants To Have Fun, Part 2 of 3”
Derwent Special Fine Art Award
- £100 commendation
Ngai Ning Yu
for “I Remember”
Ngai Ning Yu - “I Remember”
Ohuhu Award
- £250 Ohuhu Gift Card
Kate Bentley
ffor “Winter Light (Edinburgh)”
Kate Bentley - “Winter Light (Edinburgh)”
Parker Harris Award
- One year’s subscription to The Art Ladder mentoring programme, worth £325
Margo Schultz
for ‘Amoretti’s Knot’
Margo Schultz, - ‘Amoretti’s Knot’
Lotte Johnson - ‘Never no more, will I ever see him (Triptych)’
The Cass Art SWA Award
- A £250 Cass Art E-Gift Card
Lotte Johnson
for ‘Never no more, will I ever see him (Triptych)’
Dave Clay Award
- £250 awarded for body of work
Kaija Bulbrook
for her body of work
Kaija Bulbrook - Tona Layers 1
Rosemary & Co Award
- £100 (Brushes voucher)
Julie Cross
for “Godsend – Apple of Discord”
Julie Cross - “Godsend – Apple of Discord”
Visitor's Choice Award
- £50 Donated fund
Pranavi Agarwal
for Goddess Mother
Pranavi Agarwal - Goddess Mother
2026 DEMONSTRATIONS
During the Exhibition we had demonstrations by some of our talented members artists.
Quick loose watercolours
Sera Knight
A series of small, spontaneous watercolour studies painted in around half an hour or less. Moving between dancers, flowers, street scenes, musicians and landscapes, these works focus on instinct rather than perfection. They’re about energy, movement and the freedom of letting the brush lead. Not masterpieces in the traditional sense, but lively snapshots that celebrate the joy of painting without overthinking.
Loose Landscapes in Oils
Lucy Marks
Join Lucy Marks for a fun approach to painting loose, expressive landscapes in oils. Working from a photo, she will bring her plein air process into the studio, sharing tips on capturing light, atmosphere, and movement with confident, economical brushwork. A practical and energetic insight into painting with freedom.
Empowering Her: Empowering US
Caroline de Peyrecave
What does it mean to feel truly seen?
Join portrait artist Caroline de Peyrecave for a live conversation around the latest works from her Empowering Her collection, exploring portraiture, identity and the visibility of women in contemporary life.
Portraits of Sally Phillips and Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe will be exhibited during the event, alongside a special display of additional paintings from the Empowering Her collection shown exclusively for workshop participants.
Following the talk, participants are invited to take part in Feeling Seen, an intimate portrait-based workshop using simple paired drawing exercises to explore observation, connection and self-perception in a relaxed and supportive environment.
No drawing experience necessary. Materials provided.
Sharing a simple approach for capturing a quick likeness, and the essence of a sitter, using the most basic materials.
Gail Reid
Gail will introduce her materials, followed by a series of 20 minute portrait sketches from life, explaining the process throughout.
There will be a small number of slots for sitters with the option of the portraits being available to take away at the end of the day. An optional donation to this year's charity would be very welcome.