Royal West of England Academy (RWA)

The Academy was founded by Ellen Sharples with early benefactors that include Isambard Kingdom Brunel and Prince Albert.

What to see at the Royal West of England Academy (RWA)

The RWA is housed inside a Grade II*-listed building that was opened in 1858. Its interior is lit by natural light from large skylights and it is noted for a replica of the Parthenon Frieze.

It has five galleries with a permanent collection that is comprised of over 1,700 works of art including works by prominent British artists including artists from the Bloomsbury, Newlyn and St Ives schools. The gallery focuses on both traditional and contemporary British art.

Temporary exhibitions at the Royal West of England Academy (RWA)

The Academy also hosts a programme of temporary exhibitions. Current and planned exhibitions include:

Sharing Love
This exhibition (until 3 August 2025) presents three handmade dresses alongside other artworks created with sanctuary seekers in Bristol. One dress features stitched stories from local participants. Another, embroidered by international sewing hubs, was made in partnership with the Dorcas Dress Project. The third, made of paper, invites visitor responses. Members of Bristol Refugee Artists Collective have co-curated the exhibition and are running sewing workshops throughout. Sharing Love coincides with Soft Power in the main galleries.

Soft Power: Lives Told Through Textile Art
This exhibition (until 10 August 2025) explores how cloth conveys personal and collective stories. Textile artworks examine identity, empowerment and change, reflecting lived experiences. The pieces highlight hidden struggles, major events and connections between women across cultures. The exhibition features work by contemporary textile artists from around the world.

Skin Deep
This group exhibition (8 July–31 August 2025) brings together six artists whose work explores the female body as a site of memory and experience. Themes include migration, ageing, pregnancy and identity. Artists featured are Eileen Cooper, Valda Jackson, Charmaine Watkiss, Adelaide Damoah, Jessa Fairbrother and Wendy Elia. Using painting, drawing, photography and performance, their works examine how personal and collective histories are expressed through the body.

Visiting the Royal West of England Academy (RWA)

The Royal West of England Academy (RWA) is located around midway between Clifton and the city centre. It is close to the University of Bristol and there are several interesting sights nearby interest including the Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, which is only a four-minute walk away.

Admission to the permanent gallery is free of charge, however, there is a fee to visit many of the temporary exhibitions. Exhibitions are half price with the National Art Pass.

The RWA has its own on-site cafe, however, the gallery’s location near the university ensures that there are plenty of other places to eat and drink nearby. The gallery also has an excellent gift shop.

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