THE SOCIETY OF WOMEN ARTISTS -
2025 EXHIBITION
Image Credit - Estelle Day
The Society of Women Artists 164th Annual Open Exhibition 2025
We are excited to be exhibiting once again at the Mall Galleries in June 2025.
Submissions will open on the 2nd December 2024 and close on the 8th of March 2025.
The SWA seeks works of the highest standard within its specific field. The SWA continues to promote women artists and prides itself on the very diverse nature of the work shown during our Annual Open Exhibition from both our non-members and our members.
AWARDS AND SPONSORS
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We would like to thank all of our sponsors for 2024 who
provided awards and prizes. Please see list below.
Princess Michael of Kent Award - A signed certificate
President and Vice Presidents’ Award - A signed certificate
The Tom Urwin Special Fine Art Award - £2000
Karin Walker Young Artist Award - 2 x £500
Helen Sinclair Sculpture Award - £500
The Circles of Art Award £1000 & Feature in their Magazine
Derwent Special Fine Art Award £250 (art materials)​
Parker Harris Award One year’s subscription to The Art Ladder mentoring
programme, worth £325
The Catto Gallery Award £500 and an exhibiting opportunity
The Artist Editor’s Choice Award, Feature in The Artist
Cass Art Award £250 Cass Art Gift Vouchers
Dave Clay Award £200 awarded for body of work
Rosemary & Co Award £100 (Brushes)
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Awards for 2025 will be confirmed in due course.
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Exhibition Demonstrations
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During the Exhibition we have demonstrations by some of our talented members artists.
The schedule of demonstrations will be confirmed in due course.
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Whilst we are a charity ourselves, we donate a small percentage of sales made during our exhibition to a cause close to our hearts, Breast Cancer Now (BCN)
HOW TO APPLY TO EXHIBIT AT THE SWA 164th EXHIBITION
Information for MEMBERS and NON MEMBERS
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NB Terms and conditions can be found at the bottom of the page. Please read before submitting work.
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Submission Procedure -
Submissions for selection to the 2025 exhibition will be open from the 2nd December 2024 to the 8th March 2025. Submission will only be accepted digitally via https://societyofwomenartists.oess1.uk.
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The whole selection process will be on line. There will be no physical selection.*
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NOTIFICATION OF FINAL RESULTS To find out if you have been successful you will need to visit the SWA website on the 29th March 2025.
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Successfully selected works need to be delivered to the Mall Galleries, 17 Carlton House Terrace on the 13th & 14th of June 2025. All works must have a label on the back securely attached by glue or tape, This can be printed off from your OESS account where you submitted your work https://societyofwomenartists.oess1.uk/
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Submitting digitally enables artists to submit works without transport and framing costs unless selected.
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Works delivered for selection must be exhibition ready, but with no fixings at all to the back because fixings damage other works when stacked. Please read our updated terms and conditions before submitting.
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Very Important! Please note the information you enter on the online submissions site will, if you are successful, be used for the catalogue entry and labels so please fill this in carefully. Amends requested after selection will incur an administrative fee that the artist will be liable for.
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Exhibition Dates
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Online Submission societyofwomenartists.oess1.uk: 2nd December – 8th March
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Artists visit the SWA website to see if they have been successful: 29th March
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Delivery of all work to the Mall: 13 & 14th June 2025, 10am to 5pm.
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Exhibition opens to public 24th June 3pm to 5pm
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Special (YPAI fundraising) Preview Evening: 45th June 2025 6pm - 8.30pm
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Private View: 25th June 2025, 10am to 5pm (12.00 noon Award Ceremony)
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Breast Cancer Now Evening: 25th June 6pm to 8.30pm (Private event)
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Exhibition Open To Public: 24th June to 28th June 2025 (Times vary please check website carefully)
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Collection of unsold work: 2nd & 3rd July 2025, 10am to 5pm. TBC
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Any uncollected works picked up by Picture Post: 4th July 2025 TBC
Categories of work
Categories of work which are acceptable: painting, pastels, drawing, mixed media, sculpture (in all media) ceramics, glass and metal not of a utilitarian nature, fine art printing methods accepted (not giclee or large volume print methods). Photography not accepted.
Young Artist
Please ensure you add your DOB to signify that you are eligible for the Young Artists (18-35 years at time of exhibition) categories. There are specific awards for this group.
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*The council reserves the right not to hang any works that are poorly framed, do not adhere to framing and glazing instruction or where the image submitted is not a true reflection of the actual work or if the work has been changed since the image was submitted.
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GENERAL TERMS & CONDITIONS FOR SUBMITTING WORK FOR SWA OPEN EXHIBITION
These conditions apply to all exhibitions administered by the Exhibition Administrators. The term ‘Exhibition Administrators’ means The Society of Women Artists Ltd.
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1. Submission Procedure - Artwork can be submitted at https://societyofwomenartists.oess1.uk. from the 2nd of December 2024 to the 8th of March 2025. Once you have completed your application, you will see a notification.
You will need to re-visit the SWA website on or after the 29th March 2025 to see if you have been selected for this year's exhibition.
If you have been successful, please take or send the work to the Mall Galleries on the requested date to:
Mall Galleries for SWA Exhibition
17 Carlton House Terrace
London
SW1Y 5BD
There is strictly no parking on the Mall to deliver works via the gallery entrance.
All works must be delivered via the office entrance at the above address. There is a small forecourt that drivers may use while dropping off their work.
All works must have a label on the back (attached by glue or tape).
Packaging must be taken away once work has been delivered due to limited storage facilities.
Details of couriers that frequently deliver to the gallery are listed on our website below and on the Malls website.
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2. Imagery - The quality of the images uploaded are integral to work being selected because these are the images that will be used in the online Exhibition. Please ensure the images are sharp and cropped appropriately. Image files should be JPG or PNG and no larger than 5MB. Upload time will depend on your internet connection speed so please be patient. If you are having problems uploading your images, please use image editing software to resize your image to approximately 1600 pixels wide and then save as a new file. Image file names should not be too long and should not contain any invalid characters such as ' " & % * ( ) < > / \ ~ # + = The Royal Academy have produced an excellent guide to aid you with photography. This is a link to the video https://summer.royalacademy.org.uk/Information/9 This is a PDF of the RA Guide How to Photograph your work
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3. Submission fee - Submission fee for non-members is £20 per work, irrespective of size or medium, to be paid at the time of submission. Young artists (age 18-35 years at time of exhibition) submission fee is £10 per work and members entry is free.
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4. Number of works & Membership - Up to 6 works may be submitted but a maximum of four works can be displayed. If you wish to be considered for associate membership or full membership you must enter 6 artworks.
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5. Frames, Presentation and Sizes Frames and mounts must be of good quality and complement the work. Works on canvas do not need to be framed as long as they are neat and exhibition ready, which means presentable and finished. If work is glazed, glass should be non-reflective picture glass. Glazing that is reflective can spoil the overall look of the work and exhibition as a whole. Perspex is inadmissible. Metal or clip frames are inadmissible. Please do not attach any fixings to the back of your frame. Mall Gallery technicians will attach mirror plates for you.
Size - There will be a maximum submission size for paintings and sculpture this year of approx 200cm.
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6. Eligible Mediums - Categories of work which are acceptable: painting, pastels, drawing, mixed media, sculpture (in all media), ceramics, glass and metal not of a utilitarian nature, fine art printing methods accepted (not giclee or large volume print methods). Photography not accepted. Original unique printing is acceptable, Etchings must show their plate indentations. Commercially printed line work or photographically/digitally reproduced work printed with commercial machines (such as giclée work) is not admissible.
7. NOTIFICATION OF RESULTS - All work will go through digital selection. All works will be judged by merit. Artists will be able to find the results of final selection on the SWA website on the 29th of March 2025. Successful entries will need to be handed in at 17 Carlton House Terrace, for inclusion to the exhibition.
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8. Sale Price & Commission - The price of works supplied by the artist should include the commission of 45% for non-members and 40% for members. On the BCN Charity evening the SWA will be donating 5% of the sale price to the Charity Breast Cancer Now. All work must be for sale, except by prior consent from the SWA. Minimum Sale prices for works: £350, and £150 for etchings or lithography or drawings, £200 for 3D works. Should work be submited at a lower amount for its type and is selected the price will be put up to the minimum for its type. The aforementioned is also applicable on commissioned work arranged through the Exhibition Administrators. Any sale effected by the Exhibition Administrators will have priority over a sale effected by the artist. Please note that artists liable to pay VAT are responsible for paying their own tax.
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Once work has been submitted to the SWA, any sale effected by the Exhibition Administrators before or during the course of the exhibition shall take precedence and supersede a sale made privately. Any private sale will incur the normal commission.
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9. VAT Registration for Artists Not Resident in the UK - Our open exhibition is open to artists in the UK, EU, and outside the EU. Artists who are not resident in the UK have a responsibility to register for UK VAT with H.M. Revenue & Customs.
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Artists without a UK residence are classified as Non-Established Taxable Persons (NETPs) and must register with HMRC (HM Revenue + Customs) for a UK VAT number before they can exhibit artworks in our Online Exhibition. A valid UK VAT number is prefaced with the letters “GB”
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We will not accept VAT numbers from other countries
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You must enter the retail price of your artwork when entering online but you can wait to see if your artwork is accepted before you register for a UK VAT number.
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If you are eligible for UK VAT you must provide us with your UK VAT number before the exhibition. If you do not, we will not be able to enter your selected artwork(s) into the exhibition.
NB. An application for a VAT number should take around 30 working days, although the process may take longer, so make sure you allow enough time.
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More information about UK VAT registration can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vat-notice-7001-should-i-be-registered-for-vat
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If you have any questions, please contact HMRC directly on their VAT Helpline Telephone for UK 0300 200 3701, or from abroad, +44 2920 501 261.You can register online for free at: https://www.gov.uk/vat-registration/how-toregister
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10. Commercial carriers - can be used to deliver works to buyers where necessary, please see the list of trusted experienced carriers below. These are not part of the SWA and must be contacted and dealt with directly.
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11. Press Photographs - Unless otherwise stated in writing by the artist, it will be assumed that works exhibited may be used for Press purposes in connection with the Exhibition.
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12. Copyright - The copyright of all works, other than commissioned work, remains the property of the artist. Any enquiries for copyright will be referred to the artist.
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13. Sales of Work and Notification - All work accepted and included must be exclusive to the SWA for the duration of the exhibition. If the work is sold through another platform or by the artists during the exhibition the SWA's commission will still be payable. If work in the Exhibition is sold, exhibitors will be notified by email as soon as possible (always before the close of the exhibition).
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14. Invitations and flyers - Digital invitations or flyers and a press release will be emailed to all selected artists to forward to buyers, collectors, press and any other contacts they would like to see the exhibition. ​Hard copies can also be picked up at hand in.
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15. The SWA reserves the right to disqualify any work if the artist has failed to adhere to these Terms and Conditions and the relevant rules. Works previously exhibited with the SWA or at the Mall Galleries are not eligible for entry.
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16. Care of Works - The Exhibition Administrators will not be liable for any damage or loss of works sent for exhibition occurring in the ordinary course of handling, whether such damage or loss is caused by the negligence of the Exhibition Administrators or their staff or otherwise. The Society of Women Artists strongly advises artists to insure their own works.
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17. Collection of Unsold Work - All works should be collected on the 3rd or 4th July 2025 from 17 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1. Please note that works not collected by 5pm on this date will be collected by Picture Post Art for storage. Works will be reunited with artists at a later date. There is a handling fee for this service at the artists expense. No accumulating storage charges. Picture Post Art Tom - 07833 450 788 Sarah - info@picturepostcompany.co.uk
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18. Collection of Bought Work - Works purchased during the exhibition should be collected on Thursday 4th July from 17 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1. Please note that works not collected by 5pm on this date will be collected by Picture Post Art for storage. Works will be reunited with artists at a later date. There is a handling fee for this service at the artists expense. No accumulating storage charges. Picture Post Art Tom - 07833 450 788 Sarah - info@picturepostcompany.co.uk
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Agreement
By submitting to the exhibition you are deemed to accept and agree to the following:
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The decision of the Selectors on all matters is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
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You understand that The Organisers reserves the right to make such changes to the exhibition arrangements and these Terms & Conditions as may be deemed necessary by circumstances.
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You authorise The Organisers to process, store, and utilise the data in your submission and agree that, if selected for exhibition, images of your work can be used by The Organisers, The Gallery and associated organisations for promotional and publicity purposes.
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All information provided by you is true and accurate and that the work submitted is wholly of your own creation.
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You have read and understood these terms and conditions and by submitting work accept and agree to observe all the Terms And Conditions therein.
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The SWA reserves the right to amend the terms at any time. Affected parties will be notified.
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Exhibition Sales Terms & Conditions
These conditions apply to all exhibitions administered by the Exhibition Administrators.
Gallery Sales
Please refer to Mall gallery sales terms and conditions.
Online Purchase
On purchase the SWA will contact the artist and buyer to agree and confirm delivery method and costs (where not stated previously) as well as confirmation of whether work is framed or unframed work.
It is the buyer's responsibility to pay any import or export duty, if required, both in relation to the UK or any other country.
It is the Artist's responsibility to determine whether VAT or other similar sales taxes on the sale to you apply and to collect, report and remit the correct tax, as applicable, to the appropriate tax authority.
Delivery - Where no postage costs are included on the webpage additional costs for postage and packaging may be added to this price. These costs will be agreed between the buyer and the seller. The seller will be wholly responsible for safe delivery of the artwork.
The Exhibition Administrators will not be liable for any damage or loss of works when posting or delivering sold work.
Once the Buyer and Artists have agreed any additional costs the buyer will pay SWA. This agreement is a contract between the artist and the buyer. The SWA, acting as agent, will hold the money until the buyer has received and accepted the artwork.
If the artwork is not accepted it is the buyer’s responsibility to ensure its safe return to the artist and to pay any costs incurred before any refund is initiated.
Once the artwork has been accepted the SWA will pay the artist less the commission as set out in the entry terms and conditions.
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CARRIERS
(The Society of Women Artists will not be responsible for damage to or non-delivery of works) Information on VAT and UK entry procedures may be obtained from HM Customs and Excise General Information Branch, New King’s Beam House, 22 Upper Ground, London SE1 9PJ. The companies below are ones used by the Mall Galleries and have an excellent reputation.
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PICTURE POST ART
Tom & Sarah Challoner,
Doncaster, DN9 3GY
Tom - 07833 450 788
Sarah - info@picturepostcompany.co.uk
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Picture Post receive and return artwork worldwide.
Contact Picture Post Art for any quotations, reservations, studio collections, appointments or any other information about their collection service.
Art Moves of Chelsea
Please contact for details. Tel/fax: 020 7352 7492,
Delivers to: Bristol, Kent, London, Surrey, Sussex
Art Moves of Chelsea have a limit for works of 2 metres for paintings on the longest side.
Contact Art Moves of Chelsea for quotes.
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Nick McNally
Mid Wales Freight
Mobile : 07866 731400
Email : sales@midwalesfreight.co.uk
SME BUSINESS AWARDS 2019 - MID WALES FREIGHT
Transport Awards Courier Company of the Year 2019
Europe Award for Excellence in International Art Delivery Services 2019
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A S Elvin Transport Ltd
Delivers to: UK wide delivery for direct road transport of artwork including small to medium-sized sculpture
A S Elvin Transport Ltd are based on the Norfolk/Suffolk border.
Tel: 01502 677025