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:

Into the Blue
This exhibition (until 2 February 2025), curated by University of Bristol History of Art MA students, explores the emotional and visual power of the colour blue. Complementing Paule Vézelay: Living Lines, it highlights works from the RWA collection, featuring landscapes, seascapes and abstract compositions. Artists include Wilhelmina Barns-Graham, Mary Fedden, Paul Feiler and Julian Trevelyan. Into the Blue examines how blue evokes tranquillity, mystery and a wide range of moods and ideas.

Flora
This exhibition (until 9 March 2025) features flowers, plants and botanical-inspired artworks. Alongside works by Academicians Cynthia Lear and Charlotte Price, it includes rarely-seen pieces from the RWA Collection by artists such as Derek Balmer, Mary Fedden, Alastair Michie and George Tute. The exhibition explores the enduring artistic inspiration drawn from nature.

RWA Biennial Open 2025: Paper Works
This exhibition (until 27 April 2025) showcases works selected from open submissions, celebrating paper as both a surface and sculptural material. It highlights techniques including printmaking, drawing and collage, using materials like handmade paper, Japanese tissue and paper pulp. The exhibition features delicate hangings, expressive works on packaging and fine-line drawings on cotton rag paper. Visitors can explore the diverse possibilities of paper through varied artistic approaches, from charcoal drawings to architectural models.

Paule Vézelay: Living Lines
This retrospective of Paule Vézelay, a key figure in 20th-century British abstract art, features over 60 works. The exhibition (until 27 April 2025) includes paintings, prints, sculptures and textiles, as well as archive materials like photographs and letters. Vézelay’s career spanned early theatrical influences in Bristol, her abstract breakthroughs in Paris, and her later textile designs. The exhibition also features works by Alexander Calder and Marlow Moss, alongside a new publication on Vézelay’s life and art.

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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