Calling all artists working with and on paper…

Submissions for the RWA Biennial Open 2025: Paper Works exhibition are now open until 15 November '24. Enter now via the OESS online submissions platform.

This open call and exhibition celebrates the limitless possibilities of paper. Whether your work involves drawing, printmaking, paper sculptures and installations, handmade paper, moving image animations made with paper, or any other creative exploration of this versatile material, we want to see it!

This open call is a fantastic opportunity for artists to showcase their skill and creativity in one of the UK’s most beautiful art galleries. We encourage submissions that push the boundaries of what can be achieved with paper, including those that combine paper elements with other materials and mediums, offering a platform for works that are bold, thoughtful and original.

Entry is open to everyone - professional or amateur, established artist or emerging talent.

An expert selection panel including RWA Academician artists will review every entry. If selected, your work will be shown in the RWA main galleries and seen by thousands of visitors and potential buyers. Your work will also be available to buy online for a global audience. Expert judges will select work for prizes to be announced. All selected artists will be invited to a special Private View and prize-giving event.  

Key dates for RWA Biennial Open 2025: Paper Works

• Submissions open online: 14 September
• Installation proposal deadline: Thursday 31 October
• All other entries deadline: Friday 15 November
• Results day: Tuesday 3 December
• Hand-in days: Saturday 11, Sunday 12 and Monday 13 January 2025, 10am – 4pm
• Private View: Thursday 23 January, from 6pm
• Exhibition open: Friday 24 January – Sunday 27 April 2025
• Hand back days: Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 May 2025

How to enter

Enter now via the OESS online submissions platform.

Entry is open until 12.00 midday on Friday 15 November 2024 for all works except installation proposals.

Installation proposals are encouraged and should be submitted as a .pdf online via the OESS portal by the earlier deadline of Thursday 31 October, midday. The selectors may contact shortlisted installation artists from 4 November onwards to discuss their proposal before making a final selection.

Full T&Cs can be found here and online via the OESS submissions platform.

A user guide can be found here to help with registration and submission on OESS.

Please email exhibition@rwa.org.uk with additional queries. 

The selectors

The selection panel will include RWA Academicians Fiona Robinson PRWA, Peter Ford RE RWA,Toni Davey RWA, Juliette Losq RWA and Ian Chamberlain RWA, as well as artist and master paper maker Elaine Cooper 

About the RWA and the Paper Works Biennial Open

The Royal West of England Academy is the only regional Royal Academy and Bristol's first art gallery, bringing world-class visual art to the South West since 1858.  Our beautiful Grade II* listed building has recently undergone a £4.5m redevelopment, making it one of Britain’s most accessible galleries. 

The RWA’s Annual Open Exhibition has been running for over 170 years and is a firmly established fixture in the UK’s art calendar, attracting thousands of entrants, visitors and buyers every year. 

The 2025 Biennial Open Exhibition: Paper Works, builds on that long experience, and forms part of our commitment to champion and showcase world-class art in the region and create opportunities for new and emerging talent. 

Paper Works will run in the main galleries from 24 January - 27 April 2025, and as well as the selected entries will include work by invited artist Ian McKeever RA.

It is presented alongside the landmark exhibition Paule Vézelay: Living Lines, celebrating the pioneering abstract modernist artist Paule Vézelay who began her career studying printmaking in the early twentieth century at the school of art in the RWA building.

 *Please note - The entry fee is non-refundable after the submission deadline, regardless of whether your work is selected. The RWA is an independent arts charity reliant on earned and donated income to cover its costs. Submission fees for Open exhibitions are an essential part of our income, helping to cover the operating costs for our landmark building and continue the work we are doing across Bristol to enable people and communities to benefit from art and creativity, including those with disabilities and other wellbeing challenges, and people with economic and societal disadvantages.  By submitting you are helping to support us - thank you!

Image: 171 Annual Open Exhibition, installation view, RWA, 2024.