RWS Open 2027

About this call

The RWS Open is the Royal Watercolour Society's annual open-submission exhibition for water-based media. The 2027 edition relaunches the show and, for the first time, spans both of the Society's London venues: Bankside Gallery on the Thames Path and the RWS Gallery next to Trafalgar Square. Artists from across the UK and around the world may submit original works on paper made predominantly in water-based media, including watercolour, acrylic, gouache, ink, pigment and tempera, with no restrictions on style or subject. A panel selects a longlist (22 December 2026) and a shortlist (5 February 2027); shortlisted works are shown from 16 April to 3 May 2027, featured on the Society's website and eligible for prizes and awards.

Who can apply

• Open to applicants of any nationality
• Medium: Painting / Ink / Mixed Media
• Entry fee: £20
• Applicants must be living and aged 18 or over on 11 September 2026. Up to 6 works; fees: 1 entry £20, 2 £36, 3 £46, 4 £56, 5 £66, 6 £76; full-time higher-education students £12 per work with valid evidence of student status; existing Watercolour Artist Friends of Bankside Gallery enter free with an approved code; fees are non-refundable. Works must be original, made predominantly in water-based media on a paper support (not canvas, wood, plastic or another non-paper support); mixed media may include pencil, pastel or collage if a water-based medium is the main component. Works must be completed within 4 years of 8 December 2026, for sale at a minimum of £250 and available for the full exhibition, no larger than 200 x 200 cm framed, and suitable for safe handling, display and storage. No prints, photographs, digital reproductions or copies. Submit at least one high-quality JPEG per work, no larger than 5MB, showing the work unframed, evenly lit, correctly orientated and cropped to its edge. Shortlisted artists are allocated to one of the two venues and cannot choose. Selected works must be framed and glazed (metal frames, clip frames and low-quality frames may be rejected; works differing significantly from the image entered will not be accepted), fitted with mirror plates or D-rings and cord depending on the venue, and delivered in person, by a representative or by an art courier on the allocated day (10 April 2027 at RWS Gallery or 12 April 2027 at Bankside Gallery, 11am to 5pm); works delivered directly by taxi, Royal Mail, FedEx, DHL and the like will not be hung. Unsold work is collected on 4 May 2027. Works remain the artist's responsibility and the galleries accept no liability for damage. The call is open to artists across the UK and worldwide; as a separate matter from who may apply, selected artists who ship work from outside the UK are fully responsible for compliance with UK customs and tax requirements, and Picture Post can receive and deliver works from abroad for an additional fee.