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ROI Annual Exhibition

About > ROI Annual Exhibtion

ROI Annual exhibition 2024

Artists are invited to submit work for exhibition alongside members of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters at the ROI Annual Exhibition 2024.

The Royal Institute of Oil Painters was founded in 1882 and is the only major British art society that promotes and exhibits work of the highest standard exclusively in oil paint. (From this year, work in acrylic is no longer accepted).

The ROI Annual Exhibition features work by many exciting emerging painters alongside the work of more established names.

This year’s special theme is ‘EAT’ – for which The ROI Themed Painting Prize is on offer to the best interpretation. However the theme is optional, one aspect of a larger exhibition, to which oil paintings of all subjects are welcome.

Successful applicants can expect:

  • To have their selected work included in the ROI Annual Exhibition at Mall Galleries, in the gallery, and online
  • Eligibility to win prizes and awards
  • An invitation to the Private View
  • The chance to sell their work
  • To be part of a network of exhibiting artists dating back to 1882 when the ROI was founded
  • The possibility of election to membership (for more information about becoming a member, please visit the ROI website)

Submissions are ONLINE ONLY and open until 12 noon Friday 11 October (extended from 4 October 2024).

We recommend that artists submit early to allow for assistance with their application if required.

How to Submit

A single-stage online judging of all submitted works will take place, after which selected works should be delivered to Mall Galleries, London, for inclusion in the exhibition:

  • Upload your work to our Open Exhibition Submission System (OESS) between Friday 5 July and 12 noon Friday 11 October (now extended from 4 October 2024)
    Images must be in JPEG or PNG format and under 5MB. The judges will make their decision based on these images, so please submit good quality photographs.
  • Log in to the OESS from 12 noon on Friday 25 October to see if your work has been selected
  • If selected, deliver your work on Saturday 16 November, 10am to 5pm, to Mall Galleries, 17 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5BD

Works should be delivered unwrapped with the relevant form and labels, which are downloadable from the OESS upon notification of selection.

Important Dates

Submissions open: Friday 5 July 2024, 12 noon

Submissions close: 12 noon next Friday 11 October (now extended from Friday 4 October)

Notification of selection: Friday 25 October, 12 noon

Receiving Day (if selected): Saturday 16 November, 10am to 5pm

Private View (invite only): Wednesday 27 November, 2pm to 8pm, official opening at 3pm

Exhibition opens: Thursday 28 November, 10am to 5pm daily

Exhibition closes: Saturday 14 December, 5pm

Collection of unsold work: Tuesday 17 December, 10am to 5pm

Conditions

Eligibility

Who may enter?

Any artist aged 18 or over may enter, from anywhere in the world.

How many works may I enter?

Artists may enter a maximum of six works each, from which up to three works per artist may be selected.

The combined total of the longest dimension of each painting accepted will not exceed 8 feet maximum per artist.

What type of work is eligible? 

Artists must submit work that has been completed within the last three years and must not have been previously exhibited at Mall Galleries.

Works should be no larger than 2.4m along the longest dimension.

All works must be an original creation by the artist.

Subject matter: 

Artists may submit work on any subject matter.

There is a special theme each year, which can be interpreted widely. For 2024, artists are encouraged to contribute a work on the theme ‘EAT’ – however it is not compulsory. If a work is on the theme, please say so in the artwork description box when applying.

Acceptable media: 

Oils. The ROI promotes and exhibits work of the highest standard in oil paint.

Water-soluble oil paint is acceptable if framed as an oil, so as not to spoil the general appearance of the exhibition.

Acrylic is no longer accepted

Entry Fee

How much does it cost to enter?

There is a non-refundable submission fee of £20 per work, or £14 per work for artists aged 35 or under.

The submission fee includes free admission to the exhibition (normally £5).

Presentation

How should I present my work?

Artists are encouraged to frame their work. Unframed work may be accepted if on a well-presented box canvas.

Wide mounts between the painting and frame, as in watercolours, are not acceptable.

Picture glass is not encouraged.

Frames or stretchers should be sufficiently substantial to withstand mirror plating with 12mm (size 6) screws.

Artists are advised to use plain, simple framing in a light or medium colour.

Metal frames, unprotected glass edges and clip frames are inadmissible.

Please remove all fittings and fixings from the back of frames, for example D-rings and picture wire. This is to prevent damage to other works, and because we will mirror-plate works for hanging.

Delivery & Collection

Works should be delivered and collected on the specified receiving and collection days via the gallery’s rear entrance at Mall Galleries, 17 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5BD.

If you are unable to deliver or collect your work, you may send another person on your behalf – this may include an art courier (see below).

Artists are responsible for the costs of delivery and collection.

Delivery

Paintings should be completely dry at the time of delivery.

Works should be delivered unwrapped with the relevant form and labels, which are downloadable upon notification of selection.

All packaging must be taken away at the point of delivery.

Collection

We are unable to wrap works or provide wrapping for works being returned.

Any uncollected works will be removed from the gallery after the collection day and stored by an independent courier company at the artist’s expense.

If works are not collected within 12 months of the collection day, the gallery will be entitled to destroy, sell, or otherwise dispose of the works without consent, prior notification, or compensation to the artist.

Art Couriers 

Below is a list of art couriers by region:

International Artists 

Many international artists use Picture Post Art to transport their work to and from Mall Galleries.

Picture Post Art arrange for the shipping of work from the artist’s country to the UK, help artists to correctly fill out paperwork from customs, and store packaging for reuse if required.

Picture Post Art
info@picturepostcompany.co.uk
+ 44 7833 450788

Please note that we do not accept liability for the services of any art courier.

Selection

How are works selected for exhibition? 

The works for exhibition are selected by a committee formed of members of the Institute.

If selected works arrive damaged, with unacceptable framing, size discrepancies from the original submission, or not as shown online, these will be withdrawn and work will need to be collected from Mall Galleries by the artist at their expense.

May I ask for feedback?

The decision of the Selection Committee is final and we are unable to offer feedback.

How are the prize winners selected?

Prize winning works are selected in time for the awards ceremony during the Private View, prior to the exhibition opening to the public.

Sales

Does my work have to be for sale?

All work must be for sale, except portraits.

Once work has been submitted, any sale made by the gallery before or during the course of the exhibition up to and including the collection day shall take precedence and supersede one made privately. Any private sale made in this period will incur the normal commission.

How should I price my work?

There is a minimum price per work of £500.

Unless otherwise advised, the gallery will charge a commission on the total price paid for works, including commissioned works, before, during, or as a result of the exhibition.

The price submitted should be the selling price, which should include commission, and is the price at which the work will be sold.

The price of works must include commission of 45% +VAT. If an artist is registered for VAT, then the VAT due on the selling price of works should be included in the price submitted.

Mall Galleries reserves the right to query the price of works.

May I change the price of my work once submitted?

The price of works may only be changed by written agreement between the artist and Mall Galleries.

How will I know if my work has sold?

You will be notified by Mall Galleries if your work sells.

I am an international artist, do I need to register for a UK VAT number to sell my work?

Artists who are not resident in the UK but are resident in the EU or elsewhere are welcome to submit work. If your work is selected for the exhibition, you have a responsibility to register and account for UK VAT with H.M. Revenue & Customs.

Artists without a UK residence, known as ‘NETPs’ (non-established taxable persons) can find further details on ‘NETP’ status and how to register for VAT at www.hmrc.gov.uk (HM Revenues & Customs Reference: Notice 700/1, Mar 2014) under the heading ‘Should I be registered for VAT?’

Please note: the registration process can take up to 4 weeks. Please address any questions you may have to the VAT Helpline on tel. no. 0300 200 3700 or Outside UK: +44 2920 501 261.

Intellectual Property Rights

  • All works must be an original creation by the artist.
  • The copyright and all other intellectual property rights will remain with the artist. If any rights are owned by a third party, that third party will remain the owner.
  • The gallery has the right to reproduce works in connection with the exhibition.

Personal Data

The gallery will hold personal data in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). However, the gallery may provide third parties with an artist’s contact details in the course of administering exhibitions, commissions and prizes.

The gallery has the right to reproduce works in connection with the exhibition.

The copyright and all other intellectual property rights will remain with the artist. If any rights are owned by a third party, that third party will remain the owner.

By submitting your contact details, you agree to be contacted about similar activities, such as artist opportunities and open calls organised by Mall Galleries / Federation of British Artists.

Liability

The gallery is not responsible for any loss of, or any damage to, works entrusted to them. All goods are at the artist owner’s risk absolutely and the gallery and/or their agents exclude all liability to the maximum extent permitted by law. The galleries are used for various purposes and so artists are advised to insure their works against all risks.

The gallery endeavours to take good care of works sent for exhibition, but in the event of a work sent being lost, destroyed or damaged, the gallery’s liability (if any) shall not exceed the value of the work as stated at the time of submission (less 45% plus VAT) or any altered price subsequently.

In the event of any dispute regarding loss or damage, the dispute shall be referred for final arbitration to an independent expert valuer to be chosen by agreement between the parties, provided that the arbitrator’s award shall not exceed the gallery’s maximum liability as above.

Artists shall indemnify and keep indemnified the gallery against any actions between the artist and any third party.

Help

If you require support with your application, please contact exhibitions@mallgalleries.com

Prizes & Awards

There are three new awards:

The Roger Remington Award
£4,000 for an outstanding painting

The Peter Wileman Award
£500 for an imaginative work

The Rosemary Brushes Award
For expressive brushwork, a voucher for £250 worth of Rosemary & Co Artist Brushes

Plus other prizes:

Winsor & Newton Young Artist Award | First Prize
£1,000 Winsor & Newton Fine Art Materials for an artist aged 30 or under

Winsor & Newton Young Artist Award | Second Prize
£600 Winsor & Newton Fine Art Materials for an artist aged 30 or under

Winsor & Newton Young Artist Award | Third Prize
£400 Winsor & Newton Fine Art Materials for an artist aged 30 or under

The ROI Themed Painting Prize
£500 for the standout painting on the theme of ‘EAT’

The Stanley Grimm Prize
Two awards totalling £700 (first prize £400, second prize £300), to the painters whose works receive the most votes from visitors to the exhibition

The Menena Joy Schwabe Memorial Award
An award of £250 for an outstanding oil painter

The ROI Emerging Artist Prize
A prize of £250 and the opportunity to spend a day with one of the Institute’s members, for an artist aged 30 or under

The Small Painting Prize
An award of £250 for the best small painting on display (maximum dimension of 30.5 cm, excluding frame)

The Tony Merrick Memorial Prize
An award of £250 in memory of Tony Merrick ROI (1948-2018)

Winsor & Newton Non-member Award
£150 Winsor & Newton Fine Art Materials

Art Academy London Award
A prize of a term’s worth of life drawing classes (worth £125) for an outstanding emerging painter

The Artist Magazine Award
The winning artist will be featured in a forthcoming issue of The Artist magazine, print and digital editions

The Dry Red Press Award
The winning work will be published as a greetings card by Dry Red Press in their ‘Prize Winners’ range

Frank Herring Easel Award
An award of a versatile easel

The Le Clerc Fowle Medal
In memory of Anne Le Clerc Fowle, presented annually for an outstanding group of paintings

Subject to final confirmation

 

Previous Annual Exhibitions

Our annual show is a proud and long held tradition for the ROI, going right back to its beginnnings in 1882. Below you can see some of the more recently archived exhibitions from the Mall Galleries in London.

2023
2022
2021
2020