RBSA Summer Show 2025
2025-07-01 - 2025-08-02 | All Floors
The RBSA Summer Show is the biggest open call exhibition of the year, with the show being displayed over all three floors of the Gallery.
Open to all artists over the age of 18, submissions come from both early-career and established creatives. With no restrictions on media or technique, visitors can expect to see a huge array of artwork, from a diverse collection of national and international artists. There will also be work from RBSA Members, Associates, and Graduate Artists as a further showcase of the talent within the Society’s Membership.
For many artists, exhibiting in the RBSA Summer Show has marked the beginning of their journey with one of the oldest art societies in the country. It also provides an excellent opportunity to exhibit in Birmingham’s foremost contemporary art gallery, and network with established RBSA artists.
This year’s exhibition was selected by:

Simon Conolly RBSA – RBSA Honorary Curator
Gabrielle Roberts-Dalton RBSA
Jenny Ryrie RBSA

The following prizes will be awarded:
First Prize £600
Second Prize £300
Up to six highly commended certificates will also be awarded.
Prizes generously donated by Clive Beardsmore, Friend of the RBSA.
A fully illustrated catalogue, featuring every work in the show, is available to accompany the exhibition, it is available in our Gallery Shop and online.
Private View: Thursday 3 July 6.00pm – 8.00pm
Artists’ Talks: Saturdays 12 and 26 July 2.00pm – 3.00pm
Exhibition closes: Saturday 2 August 5.00pm
Featured image: Elena Degenhardt, Meditation IX

RBSA Summer Show Catalogue 2025

Birmingham City Centre Sculpture Trail
2025-07-04 10:30 - 12:30 (Europe/London) | Hall of Memory, Centenary Square, B1 2HF
If you have ever wanted to know more about public art in Birmingham’s city centre, then we have the perfect event for you.
Enjoy a self-guided 2k walk through the city, devised by Viv Astling PPRBSA, visiting 24 sites of public sculpture, some of them by Birmingham’s 20th century civic sculptor, and RBSA Past President, William Bloye (1870 – 1975).
Starting at the Hall of Memory on Centenary Square with an opening speech at 10.30am, a leaflet will guide you through the city, with a link to further information online, pointing out the artworks along the way. Anyone who has ventured into Birmingham city centre will almost certainly have walked past at least one of the sculptures on the tour, and many of you will be surprised to discover just how many there are.
This launch of this tour coincides with the centenary of the opening of Birmingham’s Hall of Memory, and participants will be lucky enough to be able to go inside the Hall which is usually closed to the public.
Leaflets can be picked up from the Gallery, Birmingham Central Library, and branch libraries from Monday 30 June.

RBSA Watercolour Prize 2025
2025-08-07 - 2025-09-13 | Gallery 2
The first RBSA Watercolour Prize for over a decade celebrates work created using water-based media; including watercolour, ink, gouache, and acrylic paint.
Despite early use as a medium in its own right, historically watercolour was most often used by artists for sketching, employed in preparation for final works completed in oils.
The medium finally gained recognition as an independent, mature painting medium in the 18th century, and today water-based media has achieved parity with oil paint.
This exhibition includes traditional and contemporary water-based works, by artists from all around the world.
This year’s exhibition was selected by:

Chris Myers PPRI RBA – President of the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolour (2022 – 2025)
Glenn Ibbitson VPRWSW RBSA – Vice President of the Royal Watercolour Society of Wales
Lesley Samms – Founder/MD Pure Arts Group

The following prizes will be awarded:
First Prize £1000
Second Prize £500
Third Prize £250
Up to six highly commended certificates will also be awarded.
All prizes have been sponsored by the Birmingham Watercolour Society.
A fully illustrated catalogue, featuring every work in the show, will be available to accompany the exhibition. This will be available in our Gallery Shop and online.
Private View: Thursday 7 August 6.00pm – 8.00pm
Meet the Artists: Saturdays 16 August and 6 September 2.00pm – 3.00pm
Exhibition closes: Saturday 13 September 5.00pm
Featured image: Lawrence Green ARBSA, Cley Postholder
Purchase your copy of the catalogue here.
RBSA Watercolour Prize Catalogue 2025

RBSA Young Artists Prize 2025
2025-08-26 - 2025-08-30 | Gallery 1
The RBSA Gallery is proud to present the first ever RBSA Young Artists Prize. This exhibition was open to children aged between 4 and 17 from across the city of Birmingham, Sandwell District, Solihull, Wolverhampton, and Dudley. Entering was free and the aim of the show is to give the region’s young creatives a taste of what it’s like to be an artist and the opportunity to exhibit their artwork in an established art gallery.
Artists were split into four age categories; 4 – 6 years, 7 – 10 years, 11 – 14 years, and 15 – 17 years, and age was also taken into consideration within these age groups. The focus of this exhibition is on imagination and creativity, and we welcomed work from young artists working in a wide variety of media.
Through this exhibition, the RBSA hopes to welcome a completely new audience into the Gallery, and break down perceived barriers to allow more people to enjoy and access art.
The exhibition was selected by:

Ed Isaacs PRBSA – RBSA President
Ruth Millington – art historian, critic, writer, and author of children’s book This Book Will Make You An Artist
Karolina Korupczynska – Co-founder and Director of Stryx Gallery

Following the judging, it was felt that the quality of the work not selected to be shown at the RBSA Gallery was so high that it deserved to be exhibited. We are therefore delighted to announce that Stryx Gallery have generously given us their space to show these works from 27 – 30 August. Please see below for Stryx opening times.
Every participating child will receive a certificate acknowledging them as an RBSA Young Artist 2025, and those with work in the RBSA Gallery are invited to a Prize Giving Event on Saturday 30 August. The day will be split into different time slots for each age category:

4 – 6 years 11.00am – 11.45am
7 – 10 years 12.00pm – 12.45pm
11 – 14 years 1.00pm – 1.45pm
15 – 17 years 2.00pm – 2.45pm

Prizes have been generously sponsored by Cass Art.

Prize Giving Event: Saturday 30 August
Exhibition closes: Saturday 30 August 5.00pm
Featured image: Adelina Chan, Voyage Of The Blue (detail)
Stryx Gallery, 90 Vyse Street, Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham, B18 6JZ
27 – 30 August
Wednesday – Friday 10.30am – 3.30pm
Saturday 10.00am – 12.00pm
RBSA Young Artists Prize Catalogue 2025

Curtis Holder: Portraits Of Brotherhood
2025-09-02 - 2025-09-13 | Gallery 1
Comprising more than 20 works on paper, including a series of large-scale multi-layered portraits, and exploratory drawings, Curtis Holder: Portraits Of Brotherhood reflects the artist’s core aim: to use line to search for connections and explore conversations. Throughout the project, conversations with Holder’s sitters centred around their shared experiences as Black and Brown men. Behind each drawing lies an often unspoken narrative, stories of conflict, exclusion, and vulnerability, interwoven with stories of perseverance, creativity, and hope. Throughout the drawing sessions, artist and sitter had time and space to be open and frank about the biases they face because of their skin colour and gender. These portraits challenge the assumption that Black and Brown men are all the same and should be viewed as such. They are not. The portraits offer a multifaceted view, revealing intimate layers of identity and emotion in the face of society’s opposing stereotypes. These works ask the viewer to look closer, not only at the febrile lines that form the figures, but also inward, at their own perceptions of the people looking back at them.
Curtis Holder gained widespread recognition after winning the prestigious Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year in 2020. He has continued to gain critical acclaim through solo and group exhibitions, artist residencies, and commissions, and has achieved several accolades, including The John Ruskin Prize in 2024.
In 2021, Holder was appointed the National Theatre’s first-ever Artist in Residence in 2022, leading to his 2023 exhibition The Makers: Portraits from Backstage. In the same year, he was commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery and the Terrence Higgins Trust to create a posthumous portrait of Terry Higgins, one of the first people in the UK to die of an AIDS-related illness. From 2023 to 2024, Holder completed an 18-month residency at Leeds Art Gallery which culminated in the exhibition that opened in November 2024 for five months. This year has seen a collection of his work exhibited at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, including his commission of Carlos Acosta, Director of Birmingham Royal Ballet, and a solo exhibition at Guildford House Gallery.
Curtis Holder is a member of Contemporary British Portrait Painters (CBPP), The Society of Graphic Fine Art (SGFA), and The Pastel Society (PS), and his work is held in prominent public collections, including the National Portrait Gallery, Leeds Art Gallery, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery and Soho House.
Private View: Thursday 4 September 6.00pm – 8.00pm
Meet the Artist and Live Demonstration: Saturday 6 September 12.00pm
Exhibition closes: Saturday 13 September 5.00pm
Featured image: Curtis Holder, One Man And His Dog

RBSA Graduate Artists - In This Time
2025-09-18 - 2025-10-04 | Gallery 2
This exhibition opens on Thursday 18 September at 6.00pm.
In This Time is both a celebration of and a catch up with the current cohort of RBSA Graduate Artists.
Having been elected in 2023, Graduates have benefited from broader exhibition opportunities as well as mentorship from RBSA Members and Associates. This exhibition brings visitors up to date with the Graduates’ practice and offers them the chance to view new work.
The artists participating in the exhibition are:
James Birkin, Leavon Bowman, Martin Brent Guest, Takudzwa Chandiwana, Hadis Ensafi, Helen Garbett, K’Zhayha James, Ross McCormick, Imogen Morris, Satinder Parhar, Hannah Rollason, Abbie Severn, and Vincent Stokes.
Private View: Thursday 18 September 6.00pm – 8.00pm
Exhibition closes: Saturday 4 October 5.00pm
Featured image: Helen Garbett GRBSA, Limpet Assemblage Drawings (detail)
Purchase your copy of the catalogue here
RBSA Graduate Artists In This Time Exhibition Catalogue

Mapping The Archive, Birmingham's Journey Through the RBSA Permanent Collection
2025-09-18 - 2025-10-18 | Gallery 1
This exhibition opens on Thursday 18 September 6.00pm.
Mapping the Archive, Birmingham’s Journey Through the RBSA Permanent Collection focuses on the changing face of Birmingham’s cityscape, travelling through its architectural history by way of the Society’s Permanent Collection.
Work dating back as far as 1814, the same year that the RBSA’s earliest incarnation the Birmingham Academy of Arts was born, are displayed alongside artwork depicting the second city’s current landscape, and there are some notable names amongst the artists included.
The Society of Arts engraving by Thomas Radclyffe (active 1817 – 1830) dating from c.1830 and Charles Walter Radclyffe’s (1817 – 1903) c.1840 lithograph View of New Street, Portico of the RBSA and Town Hall deservedly take their place, with Frank T Lockwood’s (1895 – 1961) Old Houses Near the Crescent from 1952.
As well as these gems, visitors to the exhibition will also be able to enjoy works depicting other Birmingham locations, including Digbeth and Deritend, Broad Street, Chamberlain Square, Piccadilly Arcade, and Moseley Road School of Art, to name but a few. They will see buildings which remain, as well as those which no longer stand, reminding us that the much-maligned Birmingham is a beautiful city worth celebrating and championing.
Private View: Thursday 18 September 6.00pm – 8.00pm
Exhibition closes: Saturday 18 October 5.00pm
Featured image: Edward Richard Taylor RBSA, RBSA and Town Hall, New Street, 1878 (detail)
Purchase your copy of the catalogue here
Mapping The Archive Exhibition Catalogue

Contemporary Printmaking from the Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers
2025-10-07 - 2025-10-18 | Gallery 2
The Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers is one of the world’s premier organisations representing the work and interests of printmakers. All Members of the Society are practising professional printmakers, elected by a panel of their peers.
This exhibition shows a cross section of work by the current Membership, and highlights the enormous diversity of techniques and approaches used by RE Fellows and Associates.
Known initially as the Society of Painter-Etchers, the Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers was founded by Sir Frances Seymour Haden in 1880 as a reaction to the Royal Academy of Arts’ reluctance to exhibit etchings and engravings. Following Queen Victoria granting the royal prefix in 1888, the group became the Royal Society of Painter-Etchers. In 1991 the name was changed again to embrace the broader range of printmaking practices, however the abbreviation RE was retained as both an identity and the qualifying letters that follow an elected Member’s name.
The RE is extremely proud of its history and the many eminent past Members who have contributed to the Society from its inception to the present day.
Private View: Tuesday 7 October 6.00pm – 8.00pm
Exhibition closes: Saturday 18 October 5.00pm

Debbie Baird and Brian Wood, Ego: Identity And Power
2025-10-21 - 2025-11-01 | Gallery 2
Debbie Baird and Brian Wood are figurative oil painters who studied together and have previously exhibited with other artists in London.
Both artists share an interest in expressing the essence of the individual, and the nature of their relationship with the world. Each has their own approach, creating a mix of vibrant emotive images and powerful social commentary.
Debbie’s work combines oil paint with collage, creating interest and complexity to enrich her narrative on the way our identities are coloured by our backgrounds.
Brian describes his process as ‘painting conversations’, between himself, his subjects, and the viewer. He builds narratives on the impact of power: how it is used and misused, and how this shapes who we are.
Debbie and Brian will be talking about their work and their practice at a Private View to be held mid-way through the exhibition.
Private View: Saturday 25 October 2.00pm – 4.00pm
Exhibition closes: Saturday 1 November 5.00pm
Featured image: Debbie Baird, Moonchild (detail), Brian Wood, Feeding The Beast (detail)

Cristina Gardiner ARBSA, Transitory Landscapes
2025-10-21 - 2025-11-01 | Gallery 1
Cristina Gardiner ARBSA is a landscape painter whose work crosses between abstraction and representation, borne from strong emotions in response to place.
In her exhibition Transitory Landscapes, Cristina draws on three instances: Estuarine, time; Urban, space; and Elemental, light and emotion, exploring her interest in post-industrial/urban sites and abstraction.
Cristina’s work starts with her experiences of a place, during which she records sketches, notes, and photographs, which are then reimagined in the studio. In real life the sites are already changing, but through Cristina’s reinterpretation, the ‘places’ acquire different meanings, containing edges and structures as markers of their essence.
The concept of ‘transience’ and of nothing staying the same is not new, but it retains a strong fascination in Cristina’s view because continuous change and transformation embody the essence of the human condition. From the inevitable passing of time and physical transformations, to cultural and social shifts, changes are inevitable.
Private View: Saturday 25 October 2.00pm – 4.00pm
Exhibition closes: Saturday 1 November 5.00pm
Featured image: Cristina Gardiner ARBSA, Estuarine II Longing For The Horizon

Birmingham Art Circle, Annual Exhibition 2025
2025-11-04 - 2025-11-15 | Gallery 2
Founded in 1879, the Birmingham Art Circle has strong links with the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists, and many of its artists are also Members of the RBSA.
The elected membership covers all art forms and their objective is to bring together artists of all disciplines to share ideas and constructively discuss their art.
The Art Circle encourages professional development and provides an opportunity for members to exhibit their work. The Birmingham Art Circle’s Annual Exhibition showcases a wide range of artworks by established practising artists, working in a range of media. The pieces exhibited include printworks, paintings, drawings, sculpture, ceramics, mixed media, photography, and textiles. Visitors will be able to purchase works and meet many of the artists exhibiting as part of the show.
Exhibition closes: Saturday 15 November 5.00pm

RBSA Annual Exhibition 2025
2025-11-20 - 2026-01-03 | All Floors
The ever changing RBSA Membership is given the opportunity to exhibit current work every year in the Society’s flagship show, the RBSA Annual Exhibition.
In 2025, the Society welcomed 16 new Associates, and four artists were elected to become full Members. This annual growth ensures the survival of the RBSA and means that, not only is this yearly exhibition a showcase of work, it is also a celebration of the continued success of one of the oldest art societies in the country.
An incredible broad spectrum of practices are represented in the show and visitors can expect to see paintings, drawings, textiles, photography, ceramics, prints, and sculpture. All of the work in the exhibition is for sale and pieces by the RBSA Membership are held in both public and private collections around the world.
Since the first Annual Exhibition in 1827, there remain only three years during which the show could not be held, 1940, 1941, and 2020. The RBSA Archive holds copies of exhibition catalogues for the vast majority of these events and recent, full colour, editions continue this tradition.
Exhibiting artists will be in the Gallery at various times throughout the show to talk to visitors.
A fully illustrated catalogue is available in our online shop as well as in the Gallery Shop.
Private View: Thursday 20 November 6.00pm – 8.00pm
Exhibition closes: Saturday 3 January 2026 5.00pm
Featured image: Bing Shi RBSA, Sunset On Oxford Canal At Thrupp (detail)
RBSA Annual Exhibition Catalogue 2025

RBSA Friends Exhibition 2026
2026-01-08 - 2026-02-07 | Galleries 1 & 2
The annual RBSA Friends Exhibition gives artists with a Friends subscription the opportunity to exhibit their work in the RBSA Gallery and get to know the Society and its Membership.
RBSA Friends have been part of the Society since the 1900s, and the RBSA was one of the first art societies to give their subscribers a dedicated exhibition. There are currently around 320 RBSA Friends and over 200 of them submitted work for this year’s show.
Many Friends make the decision to submit work for the RBSA Candidates Exhibition in the hope of being elected an RBSA Associate, and many of the current Membership began their journey with the Society as a Friend.
The practices of RBSA Friends are enormously varied and the artists exhibiting are all at very different stages of their artistic careers. This variety results in an exhibition that is vibrant and diverse and a true celebration of the wider RBSA community.
Anyone can sign up as an RBSA Friend and full details of how to join can be found here.
Official Opening: Thursday 15 January 6.00pm – 8.00pm
Exhibition closes: Saturday 7 February 5.00pm
Featured image: JP Reilly, Flower Girl #1 (detail)
The exhibition catalogue is available to purchase from our online shop.
RBSA Friends Exhibition Catalogue 2026

Drawn To Dance: The Figure In Motion
2026-02-10 - 2026-02-21 | Gallery 2
This unique exhibition celebrates an exciting collaboration between the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists and the Birmingham Royal Ballet.
Exploring the movement and poise of the ballet dancer, alongside the colour and vibrancy of the stage setting, the show aims to give visitors an insight into the artists’ process, as well as the backstage world of the ballet.
The RBSA Membership was invited to study the dancers as they worked, observing a series of rehearsals. Members working in all disciplines, both 2D and 3D, attended the sessions, creating collections of preparatory sketches and photographs to take back to the studio. These sketches and photographs will be on display in the Gallery alongside the developed artworks which they informed.
As well as works from RBSA Members, Associates, and Graduate Artists, guest artworks from renowned stage designer, John Macfarlane, backstage photographs taken by RBSA Associate and BRB Principal Dancer, Lachlan Monaghan, and artworks by Birmingham Royal Ballet dancers will be on show. Visitors will also be given the opportunity to view classical ballet costumes and rarely seen items on loan from Birmingham Royal Ballet.
Exhibition closes: Saturday 21 February 5.00pm
Featured image: Pete Underhill RBSA, Dancers Sketch (detail)

RBSA Print Prize 2026
2026-02-26 - 2026-03-28 | Gallery 2
The RBSA Print Prize is part of the Society’s programme of prize exhibitions which give artists, whose practices are rooted in a variety of different media and techniques, regular opportunities to exhibit their work in the Gallery.
With a significant number of print works held in the RBSA Permanent Collection, print-making forms an important part of the RBSA’s history, and there are many printmakers within its Membership.
Last held in 2024, the RBSA Print Prize celebrates the diversity of printmaking whilst also introducing the public to the myriad of different printing techniques used today, including screenprinting, linocut, monoprint, etching, woodcut, lithography, and dry point. Visitors to previous Print Prizes have been delighted to see the range of approaches on display and this exhibition promises to offer visitors that same exciting experience.
Entries for RBSA Prize Exhibitions come from professional and emerging artists based locally, nationally, and internationally, and all entries are judged anonymously.
This year’s exhibition was selected by:
Caroline Archer-Parré – Professor and writer
Leonie Bradley RE – Artist and Editor of Printmaking Today
Katie Brent – Printmaker and artist
The following prizes will be awarded:
First Prize £1000 sponsored by GMC Trust
Second Prize £500 Anne Judd Award
Third Prize £250 sponsored by Judd Medical
Up to six highly commended certificates will also be awarded.
Preview Evening: Thursday 26 February 6.00pm – 8.00pm
Exhibition closes: Saturday 28 March 5.00pm
Image: Linda Kosciewicz, Ballad Of Another World (detail)
A fully illustrated catalogue of the exhibition is available to purchase from our online shop.
RBSA Print Prize Exhibition Catalogue 2026

Colour: Shades, Tints, And Hues, Artworks From The RBSA Permanent Collection
2026-02-26 - 2026-03-28 | Gallery 1
The first heritage exhibition of 2026, Colour: Shades, Tints, And Hues, Artworks From The RBSA Permanent Collection, is an exploration of works held in the RBSA Permanent Collection, each chosen because they feature one dominant colour. With the artworks arranged on a colour wheel, visitors will be able to experience the feelings and emotions evoked by each piece, providing an insight into why artists choose to work with certain colours.
When humans created the first artworks, cave paintings dating back as far as 45,000 years, colour would have simply been the result of the materials available. As time went on, palettes gained more colour and artists began employing different hues for reasons beyond simple necessity. For example, during the middle ages, Renaissance, and early modern period, ultramarine blue, made using semi-precious lapis lazuli, was used to demonstrate wealth and status, as the pigment was often more expensive than gold.
In the Victorian era, a ‘colour revolution’, driven by discoveries of new minerals and advancements in techniques, meant that the number of colours available to artists grew enormously, and today there are hundreds of different pigments on the market. This ever growing selection has allowed the modern artist the freedom to use colour for a variety of different reasons, including the representation of specific emotions and moods, or to convey thoughts and ideas, free from the restrictions of cost or limited options.
The artworks selected for this exhibition date back throughout the Society’s history and demonstrate the huge growth in the number of pigments made just in the RBSA’s lifetime. Visitors can see the vast differences in how artists have used colour throughout that time, from early realistic studies to more modern works employing colour in a highly expressive way.
This exhibition affords visitors the opportunity to see pieces from a new perspective, juxtaposed with works they may not otherwise sit next to, shining new light on these precious artworks and the collection as a whole.
Preview Evening: Thursday 26 February 6.00pm – 8.00pm
Exhibition closes: Saturday 28 March 5.00pm
Featured image: Glyn Griffiths, Colour Of Summer, 1963 (detail)

Ed Isaacs PRBSA
2026-03-31 - 2026-04-11 | Gallery 2
Following a career in social housing and urban regeneration, Ed Isaacs decided to convert his lifelong love of sketching into a more developed artistic practice.
This exhibition is a survey of his work, most of which was created since 2023. He takes his inspiration from a broad range of sources and has a particular fondness for the art of Chardin, the Dutch masters, and the English Romantics.
Ed’s studio work focuses on highly representational drawing. He takes an image that attracts him, and through meticulous examination and mark making, reproduces it, often on a large scale. The time taken and deep observation is a vital part of his artistic process and invites the viewer to similarly slow down and look into the image. Ed continues his urban sketching and his sketchbooks will be on display as part of this exhibition.
Ed is the current president of the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists.
Exhibition closes: Saturday 11 April 5.00pm
Featured image: Ed Isaacs PRBSA, Lud’s Church (Dog Portrait) (detail)

Sigma - Prime Examples
2026-03-31 - 2026-04-11 | Gallery 1
Working at a single focal length challenges the photographer to consider the relationship between foreground and background, and encourages a deeper awareness of how distance, framing and movement shape visual meaning.
In this exhibition, six photographers from a range of genres were invited to produce five images at their chosen focal length, using a fast-aperture prime lens from the Sigma Art range, spanning focal lengths from 14mm up to 135mm.
The result is six distinct bodies of work that reveal not only the character of each lens, but the personal way each photographer has chosen to see through it.
Exhibition closes: Saturday 11 April 5.00pm
Featured image: Tony Nöel

RBSA Candidates Exhibition 2026
2026-04-16 - 2026-05-02 | Galleries 1 & 2
The RBSA Candidates Exhibition features the work of artists wishing to be elected to the Society, either as Associates or, for existing Associates, full Members. The current Membership is able to view the exhibition and vote for the artists they would like to see successfully elected. The exhibition is also open to the public, which provides an exciting opportunity for visitors to see the high standard of work by prospective RBSA Members and Associates.
All candidates are asked to submit six works as part of their application. Existing Members and Associates who visit the exhibition are able to vote for their choices in a secret ballot. To be successfully elected, each candidate must receive 50% +1 of the total votes cast in favour of their candidature.
Last year, the Society welcomed 16 new Associates, and four Associates progressed to become full Members. All new additions to the Membership help strengthen the Society and ensure that it is able to continue supporting artists and promoting the visual arts. Those artists elected as full Member also donate a diploma piece from their exhibited works to the RBSA Permanent Collection, cementing their part in the Society’s long history.
Exhibition closes: Saturday 2 May 2.00pm
Featured image: RBSA Candidates 2026

Alison Holt and Jaci Hogan - Textures and Rhythms
2026-05-05 - 2026-05-16 | Gallery 1
Textures and Rhythms is a joint exhibition from Alison Holt and Jaci Hogan, established artists who work in two distinctly different media; textiles and pastels.
Having exhibited together regularly for the past five years, the artists have discovered a synergy between the stitches of Alison’s landscapes and the mark making of Jaci’s seascapes. Together they explore seasonal changes, natural patterns, and elemental textures found in nature.
Alison studied at Goldsmiths and has developed a technique of free motion machine embroidery. This way of working enables Alison to paint landscapes with stitches in complex layers, giving richness of colour and a subtly sculptural texture to her work. Alison explores the interplay of light and shadow, bringing depth and atmosphere to her landscapes.
Jaci Hogan is a pastel artist whose work focuses on the sea and coastal landscapes. Having grown up in Australia, Jaci uses her childhood memories to imbue her work with the feeling of serenity she feels when by the sea. She has a fascination with the intricate patterns of sea foam and loves exploring the visual rhythm of the ocean.
Exhibition closes: Saturday 16 May 5.00pm
Image: Alison Holt, In Ancient Woodlands; Jaci Hogan, Wild West (detail)

RBSA Portrait Prize 2026
2026-05-05 - 2026-06-13 | Gallery 2
The RBSA Portrait Prize, last held in 2024, is a celebration of portraiture, one of the oldest artistic genres in existence.
Throughout history, portraits have been employed as a way of immortalising a person or group, and preserving their appearance for future generations. No other type of painting can give such insights into social and cultural history, and portraits allow us the unique gift of being able to connect with individuals, both living and dead. Indeed, the importance and popularity of portraiture remain undiminished today.
More recently, portraits have been used to express more abstract themes, including the emotions or the state of the inner-self, without necessarily focusing on physical likeness. Greats such as Van Gogh, Kahlo, Picasso, Bacon, and Rembrandt all documented emotional turbulence in powerful self-portraits.
The RBSA Portrait Prize is open to established and emerging artists working in any media, including photography and digital art, and entries come from both UK based and international artists.
This year’s exhibition is selected by:
Brian Bishop – Senior Lecturer in Fine Art and Course Director for BA (Hons) in Fine Art, Birmingham School of Art
Anthony Connolly RP – President, Royal Society of Portrait Painters
Dr Hannah Higham – Head of Collections, Royal Academy of Arts
The following prizes will be awarded:
First Prize: £1000 sponsored by GMC Trust
Second Prize: £500 Anne Judd Award
Third Prize: £250 sponsored by Judd Medical
Up to six highly commended certificates will be awarded
Preview Evening: Tuesday 5 May 6.00pm – 8.00pm
Exhibition closes: Saturday 13 June 5.00pm
Image: Francine Brown, Dorothea: Gift Of God (detail)
RBSA Portrait Prize Exhibition Catalogue 2026

RBSA Small Works Exhibition 2026
2026-05-19 - 2026-06-13
The Small Works Exhibition is a unique show from the Society’s Membership, intended as a starting point for those visitors wishing to embark upon building an art collection.
All of the work included in the exhibition is no larger than 45cm, and everything is priced at £500 and under, making the work highly affordable.
The artworks on display come from RBSA Members, Associates, and Graduate Artists, and demonstrate the breadth of techniques and approaches employed by the Society’s artists. With an ever growing Membership, contemporary pieces sit next to more traditional works, resulting in a rich and diverse exhibition of both 2D and 3D works.
At various times throughout the exhibition, exhibiting artists will be present in the Gallery to discuss the work with visitors, and advise on how to build up a collection. Visitors can also ask advice on caring for artwork and the best ways in which to display it.
Exhibition closes: Saturday 13 June 5.00pm
Image: Pete Underhill RBSA, Physalis

RBSA Summer Show 2026
2026-06-18 - 2026-08-01 | All Floors
The RBSA Summer Show is the Society’s biggest open call of the year and attracts submissions from artists based all around the globe. Displayed over all three floors of the Gallery, this exhibition does not limit artists to a theme or technique, the result being a highly diverse show with a multitude of approaches represented.
As Birmingham’s equivalent to the Royal Academy’s Summer Exhibition, this show provides an excellent opportunity for artists to showcase their work in the city’s foremost contemporary art gallery. First time exhibitors can expect to find their work amongst that of experienced RBSA Members and Associates, and, for many, the RBSA Summer Show can form the start of their own journey to Membership.
This year’s exhibition was selected by:
Simon Conolly RBSA – RBSA Honorary Curator
Martyn Harris RBSA
Usha Khosla RBSA
Jenny Mason-Gunning ARBSA
The following prizes will be awarded:
First Prize: £600
Second Prize: £300
Up to six highly commended certificates will also be awarded.
All prizes have been kindly donated by Clive Beardsmore, Friend and long time supporter of the RBSA.
Preview Evening: Thursday 18 June 6.00pm – 8.00pm
Exhibition closes: Saturday 1 August 5.00pm
Image: Andrew Barrowman ARBSA, View West At Low Tide Porthtowan (detail)

A talk on printmaking with Jenny Mason-Gunning ARBSA
2026-07-18 14:00 - 15:30 | All Floors
Join RBSA Associate and co-owner of Ironbridge Fine Arts, Jenny Mason-Gunning, for a tour of the RBSA Summer Show 2026 with a focus on the various printworks on display.
Jenny will discuss the different printmaking techniques used to create each work as well as the technical processes involved and details on how the plates are made. Starting with the first prize winner, a linocut print by Eric Gaskell RBSA, Jenny will guide visitors through the exhibition, highlighting the other printmakers represented in the show.
Jenny is also the author of Printmaking – A Step-By-Step Studio Guide, the ultimate hands-on guide for printmakers of all levels, which is for sale in the Gallery Shop.
Tour begins: 2.00pm in Gallery 2

Seven Winds CIC - Pathfinders: Sunday Best
2026-08-04 - 2026-08-15 | Gallery 1
Pathfinders: Sunday Best explores local histories, public engagement, and portraiture, as modes of making and meaning.
More than style, the Sunday best as a cultural phenomenon embodies memory, and the enduring power of being seen. This exhibition draws on what began as a church ritual and evolved into a cultural language – vibrant colours, tailored suits, and headwear reveal how style and self‑presentation shape identity.
Pathfinders: Sunday Best invites visitors to explore how Caribbean communities use dress, colour, and self‑presentation to express pride and belonging. Through portraits, artefacts, personal stories, and participatory programming, visitors are given insights into Sunday Best as a cultural language. Pathfinders: Sunday Best builds on the legacy of neighbourhood photo studios that documented the Windrush generation, this exhibition reimagines the studio as a contemporary space of celebration and authorship.
Exhibition closes: Saturday 15 August 5.00pm
Image: Norman Bailey, Pathfinder

Largely Unseen: Works From The RBSA Permanent Collection
2026-08-04 - 2026-08-29 | Gallery 2
The objective of RBSA heritage exhibitions is to give the public access to the Society’s Permanent Collection of artworks. Themes for these shows are chosen to facilitate the display of a broad selection of pieces, aimed at giving visitors the opportunity to view as wide as possible a cross section of the works held.
With wall space at a premium, limited space often means that RBSA heritage exhibitions cannot feature many of the larger works owned by the Society in its heritage shows. Largely Unseen will rectify these omissions by focusing solely on the most substantial artworks held in the Permanent Collection.
Both of Norma Rhys-Davis’ monumental oil paintings, 3 Cliffs – Gower III and Seascape, will be shown side by side for the first time, and John Ridout’s sunny gouache piece Little Greek Church will sit next to his bold acrylic Blue And Ochre Landscape.
Preview Evening: Tuesday 4 August 6.00pm – 8.00pm
Exhibition closes: Saturday 29 August 5.00pm
Image: Norma Rhys-Davis RBSA, 3 Cliffs – Gower III, 1988

Summer Botanicals in Watercolour Workshop
2026-08-18 11:00 - 16:00 | Gallery 1
Summer Botanicals in Watercolour with Jeni Neale.
Spend a summer’s day exploring how to paint those rich, velvety petals that make seasonal blooms so irresistible. With guidance from botanical artist Jeni Neale, you’ll learn textural watercolour techniques, gentle layering, and colour mixing to capture the softness and depth of midsummer flowers. By the end of the day, you’ll have a beautifully detailed study to take home.
Fresh summer flowers will be provided, plus a piece of hot-pressed watercolour paper. Bring your art supplies.
Age group and abilities to be taught

18 years and above
Ideal for beginners and experienced artists

Course aims and skills/knowledge to be taught

Watercolour techniques involved in botanical art
Colour theory and mixing

What you need to bring with you:

Watercolour paints (a basic, artist’s quality palette)
Brushes including a number 4 and 6 watercolour brush
Pencil and eraser for initial sketches
Palette, preferably a ceramic plate, and water container

What we will provide:

Watercolour paper, a sheet of high quality cotton paper
Flowers to paint from

Methods of assessing outcomes

Feedback from tutor

Booking information

To book please use the ticketing system below. Alternatively, please call the Gallery on 0121 236 4353 during opening hours to book over the phone. Bookings can also be made in person at the Gallery.
Booking is essential. Payment in full is required at the time of booking to secure a place.
Payments are non-transferable and non-refundable.
Places are limited to 10 people per workshop unless stated otherwise. Allocation will take place on a first-come first-served basis.
All workshops run from 11.00am – 4.00pm with a 40 minute lunch break, unless otherwise stated. Tea and coffee will be provided, participants need to provide their own lunch.
Please inform the RBSA Gallery when booking of any health conditions or additional needs as some workshops might not be suitable.
A valid student ID must be provided to receive a student discount.

Cancellation Policy

If you, the customer cancels your booked workshop, we are unable to offer you a refund.
Transfers to an alternative workshop may be possible depending on the circumstance and is at the discretion of the RBSA Gallery.
In the event of under-subscription, workshops may be cancelled or re-arranged. We will give you as much notice as possible if this happens and you will be able to transfer to another course or receive a full refund. The RBSA is unable to refund additional expenses, such as travel and accommodation.
If you are booked on a workshop and do not attend on the day, a refund will not be given.

Continual Professional Development (CPD) and Copyright

We welcome bookings from people attending for Continual Professional Development (CPD). However, our workshops are not designed as CPD. If your employer is paying for the course or you require more details about what you expect from the course, please contact the Gallery in advance before booking.
The workshop content and any information provided (e.g. handouts, guidance notes, etc.) are the intellectual property of the artist delivering the workshop. They should not be used or reproduced without permission from the artist (e.g. copying handouts to use in any classes workshop attendees might deliver themselves afterwards).

Other information

The workshop will take place in the RBSA Gallery, floor 1. The space will be closed to visitors and will only be used by workshop attendees. However, staff and volunteers will need to walk through the space at various points in the day to access the staff office, which is located on the same floor.
Attendees can leave their materials in the workshop space during their breaks but the RBSA will not be responsible for any loss or damages.
Please bring a packed lunch. Alternatively, there are a number of cafés and sandwich shops within walking distance of the Gallery.
Please bring an old shirt or apron to help protect your clothing.
The continuous redevelopment work in the city centre has caused increased traffic, delays, and diversions in and around the City Centre. Therefore, please allow yourself plenty of travel time, plan your route, and check your parking arrangements.
If you are travelling by car, please ensure your car is clean air zone compliant, or charges may occur.

Urban Sketching in the Jewellery Quarter Workshop
2026-08-19 11:00 - 16:00 | Gallery 1
Urban Sketching in the Jewellery Quarter with Ed Isaacs PRBSA.
Urban sketching is a great way of getting to know your town – its architecture and townscape. It is also an immensely satisfying way of developing your drawing skills either individually, or as part of the wider urban sketching community.
This one-day workshop will help you discover Birmingham’s historic Jewellery Quarter and its unique mix of 19th century industry, shops, bars, and housing. We will spend time outdoors sketching and Ed will look at issues such as tackling perspective, understanding architecture, and developing your personal drawing style. We will look at many of the buildings that feature in Ed’s book about the Jewellery Quarter and he will talk about their history and the history of the area in general.
The course will involve walking will not be suitable for people who have very limited mobility
Age group and abilities to be taught

18 years and above
Ideal for beginners and experienced artists

Course aims and skills/knowledge to be taught

Developing confidence with sketching from direct observation
Understanding building forms and perspective

Course outline for the day

Morning activity

Short presentation on perspective
Sketching on site in the Jewellery Quarter
Return to Gallery to share work and receive feedback

Afternoon activity

Return to sketching on site in neighbouring streets looking at architectural details and drawing natural forms and foliage
Return to Gallery to share work and receive feedback

What you need to bring with you:

Sketchbooks and something to sketch with; pens, pencils, or coloured pencils, whatever suits you
A sketching stool if you have one
Appropriate clothing for being outside

Methods of assessing outcomes

Feedback from tutor

Booking information

To book please use the ticketing system below. Alternatively, please call the Gallery on 0121 236 4353 during opening hours to book over the phone. Bookings can also be made in person at the Gallery.
Booking is essential. Payment in full is required at the time of booking to secure a place.
Payments are non-transferable and non-refundable.
Places are limited to 10 people per workshop unless stated otherwise. Allocation will take place on a first-come first-served basis.
All workshops run from 11.00am – 4.00pm with a 40 minute lunch break, unless otherwise stated. Tea and coffee will be provided, participants need to provide their own lunch.
Please inform the RBSA Gallery when booking of any health conditions or additional needs as some workshops might not be suitable.
A valid student ID must be provided to receive a student discount.

Cancellation Policy

If you, the customer cancels your booked workshop, we are unable to offer you a refund.
Transfers to an alternative workshop may be possible depending on the circumstance and is at the discretion of the RBSA Gallery.
In the event of under-subscription, workshops may be cancelled or re-arranged. We will give you as much notice as possible if this happens and you will be able to transfer to another course or receive a full refund. The RBSA is unable to refund additional expenses, such as travel and accommodation.
If you are booked on a workshop and do not attend on the day, a refund will not be given.

Continual Professional Development (CPD) and Copyright

We welcome bookings from people attending for Continual Professional Development (CPD). However, our workshops are not designed as CPD. If your employer is paying for the course or you require more details about what you expect from the course, please contact the Gallery in advance before booking.
The workshop content and any information provided (e.g. handouts, guidance notes, etc.) are the intellectual property of the artist delivering the workshop. They should not be used or reproduced without permission from the artist (e.g. copying handouts to use in any classes workshop attendees might deliver themselves afterwards).

Other information

The workshop will take place in the RBSA Gallery, floor 1. The space will be closed to visitors and will only be used by workshop attendees. However, staff and volunteers will need to walk through the space at various points in the day to access the staff office, which is located on the same floor.
Attendees can leave their materials in the workshop space during their breaks but the RBSA will not be responsible for any loss or damages.
Please bring a packed lunch. Alternatively, there are a number of cafés and sandwich shops within walking distance of the Gallery.
Please bring an old shirt or apron to help protect your clothing.
The continuous redevelopment work in the city centre has caused increased traffic, delays, and diversions in and around the City Centre. Therefore, please allow yourself plenty of travel time, plan your route, and check your parking arrangements.
If you are travelling by car, please ensure your car is clean air zone compliant, or charges may occur.

Cut and Fold - Exploring Paper Workshop
2026-08-20 11:00 - 16:00 | Gallery 1
Cut and Fold – Exploring Paper Workshop with Clare Pentlow ARBSA.
A day exploring paper art and the many different possibilities it holds through cutting and folding. Initially we’ll be looking at geometric folding from simple pop ups to more complex designs. Later in the afternoon it’ll be paper cutting and gaining confidence with the scalpel whilst creating your own unique artwork. Throughout the day you’ll gain an insight into how Clare creates her own paper cut art and how, with a little practice and patience, similar work can be achieved. Clare will also show how other paper artists work and how paper has been used to create art across the world.
Age group and abilities to be taught

18 years and above
Ideal for beginners and experienced artists

Course aims and skills/knowledge to be taught

Geometric folding
Confidence with a scalpel
Paper sculpture through cutting and folding
How to create your own designs

Course outline for the day

Morning activity

Geometric folding
Learn some of the basic shapes and language in origami and how to interpret different designs
Enjoy creating your own designs
Looking at origami artists/paper engineers to further explore

Afternoon activity

Learn how Clare creates her own unique paper art
Simple cutting techniques to gain confidence in using a scalpel
Different ways to sculpt paper and combing cutting and folding

What you need to bring with you:

You may wish to bring your own scalpel with you

What we will provide:

All materials and equipment are provided and included in the fee

Methods of assessing outcomes

Feedback from tutor
Completion of evaluation form

Booking information

To book please use the ticketing system below. Alternatively, please call the Gallery on 0121 236 4353 during opening hours to book over the phone. Bookings can also be made in person at the Gallery.
Booking is essential. Payment in full is required at the time of booking to secure a place.
Payments are non-transferable and non-refundable.
Places are limited to 10 people per workshop unless stated otherwise. Allocation will take place on a first-come first-served basis.
All workshops run from 11.00am – 4.00pm with a 40 minute lunch break, unless otherwise stated. Tea and coffee will be provided, participants need to provide their own lunch.
Please inform the RBSA Gallery when booking of any health conditions or additional needs as some workshops might not be suitable.
A valid student ID must be provided to receive a student discount.

Cancellation Policy

If you, the customer cancels your booked workshop, we are unable to offer you a refund.
Transfers to an alternative workshop may be possible depending on the circumstance and is at the discretion of the RBSA Gallery.
In the event of under-subscription, workshops may be cancelled or re-arranged. We will give you as much notice as possible if this happens and you will be able to transfer to another course or receive a full refund. The RBSA is unable to refund additional expenses, such as travel and accommodation.
If you are booked on a workshop and do not attend on the day, a refund will not be given.

Continual Professional Development (CPD) and Copyright

We welcome bookings from people attending for Continual Professional Development (CPD). However, our workshops are not designed as CPD. If your employer is paying for the course or you require more details about what you expect from the course, please contact the Gallery in advance before booking.
The workshop content and any information provided (e.g. handouts, guidance notes, etc.) are the intellectual property of the artist delivering the workshop. They should not be used or reproduced without permission from the artist (e.g. copying handouts to use in any classes workshop attendees might deliver themselves afterwards).

Other information

The workshop will take place in the RBSA Gallery, floor 1. The space will be closed to visitors and will only be used by workshop attendees. However, staff and volunteers will need to walk through the space at various points in the day to access the staff office, which is located on the same floor.
Attendees can leave their materials in the workshop space during their breaks but the RBSA will not be responsible for any loss or damages.
Please bring a packed lunch. Alternatively, there are a number of cafés and sandwich shops within walking distance of the Gallery.
Please bring an old shirt or apron to help protect your clothing.
The continuous redevelopment work in the city centre has caused increased traffic, delays, and diversions in and around the City Centre. Therefore, please allow yourself plenty of travel time, plan your route, and check your parking arrangements.
If you are travelling by car, please ensure your car is clean air zone compliant, or charges may occur.

Ghalamzani Metal Engraving Workshop
2026-08-21 11:00 - 16:00 | Gallery 1
Ghalamzani Metal Engraving Workshop with Hadi Ghahramanpouri.
Participants will be able to get a taste of Ghalamzani metal engraving and will create a sample piece within the session. By using thin aluminium/copper sheets (0.1mm), the engraving can easily be done with a chisel. Ghalamzani metal engraving often uses processes such as moulding with bitumen, continuous hammering, or controlled heating. However, in this taster workshop, a simplified approach enables participants to complete their own piece during the workshop and take it home at the end, while still gaining an introduction to the techniques and appreciation of the craft.
This course aims to introduce participants to the fundamental techniques of traditional metal engraving, with a focus on working with aluminium/copper. Participants will gain both practical skills and an understanding of the craft’s discipline.
Age group and abilities to be taught

18 years and above
Ideal for beginners and experienced artists

Course aims and skills/knowledge to be taught

Understand how to prepare metal sheets and transfer simple patterns
Learn the correct way to hold and use a hammer and chisel for engraving
Practise basic engraving techniques on metal, developing confidence with tools
Experience the time, patience, and precision required in this art form
Appreciate the challenges and rewards of traditional metal engraving as a craft

Course outline for the day

Morning activity

Introduction to the history and artistry of metal engraving
Looking at the copper/aluminium sheets and the process of creating an art piece on one
Transferring and fixing simple patterns onto the surface
Removing the paper patterns to reveal the engraved designs
Learning how to safely and effectively hold, control, and work the chisel and hammer on the thick metal samples
Guided practice with basic lines and shapes
Learning how to engrave thin metal sheets using the dotting tool

Afternoon activity

Developing confidence with tools through more detailed practice
Engraving along simple pre-prepared patterns
Understanding rhythm, patience, and technique in working with aluminium/copper

What you need to bring with you:

A pen
An apron or old shirt you do not mind getting dirty

What we will provide:

All specialist tools and equipment are included in the fee
Wood glue
Disposable gloves
Aluminium/copper sheet

Methods of assessing outcomes

Feedback from tutor
Group discussion
Completion of evaluation form

Booking information

To book please use the ticketing system below. Alternatively, please call the Gallery on 0121 236 4353 during opening hours to book over the phone. Bookings can also be made in person at the Gallery.
Booking is essential. Payment in full is required at the time of booking to secure a place.
Payments are non-transferable and non-refundable.
Places are limited to 10 people per workshop unless stated otherwise. Allocation will take place on a first-come first-served basis.
All workshops run from 11.00am – 4.00pm with a 40 minute lunch break, unless otherwise stated. Tea and coffee will be provided, participants need to provide their own lunch.
Please inform the RBSA Gallery when booking of any health conditions or additional needs as some workshops might not be suitable.
A valid student ID must be provided to receive a student discount.

Cancellation Policy

If you, the customer cancels your booked workshop, we are unable to offer you a refund.
Transfers to an alternative workshop may be possible depending on the circumstance and is at the discretion of the RBSA Gallery.
In the event of under-subscription, workshops may be cancelled or re-arranged. We will give you as much notice as possible if this happens and you will be able to transfer to another course or receive a full refund. The RBSA is unable to refund additional expenses, such as travel and accommodation.
If you are booked on a workshop and do not attend on the day, a refund will not be given.

Continual Professional Development (CPD) and Copyright

We welcome bookings from people attending for Continual Professional Development (CPD). However, our workshops are not designed as CPD. If your employer is paying for the course or you require more details about what you expect from the course, please contact the Gallery in advance before booking.
The workshop content and any information provided (e.g. handouts, guidance notes, etc.) are the intellectual property of the artist delivering the workshop. They should not be used or reproduced without permission from the artist (e.g. copying handouts to use in any classes workshop attendees might deliver themselves afterwards).

Other information

The workshop will take place in the RBSA Gallery, floor 1. The space will be closed to visitors and will only be used by workshop attendees. However, staff and volunteers will need to walk through the space at various points in the day to access the staff office, which is located on the same floor.
Attendees can leave their materials in the workshop space during their breaks but the RBSA will not be responsible for any loss or damages.
Please bring a packed lunch. Alternatively, there are a number of cafés and sandwich shops within walking distance of the Gallery.
Please bring an old shirt or apron to help protect your clothing.
The continuous redevelopment work in the city centre has caused increased traffic, delays, and diversions in and around the City Centre. Therefore, please allow yourself plenty of travel time, plan your route, and check your parking arrangements.
If you are travelling by car, please ensure your car is clean air zone compliant, or charges may occur.
