The Bristol office of accountancy, tax and investment management group Smith & Williamson welcomed hundreds of art lovers to a reception to mark the opening of the Royal West of England Academy’s Annual Open Exhibition.
Now in its 166th year, the exhibition takes submissions from artists at any stage of their career and in any media, including painting, sculpture, print making, photography, textiles, film and installation.
More than 1,600 artists submitted over 3,200 works of art for this year’sexhibition, from across the UK and as far afield as Moscow, Paris, Los Angeles and Hong Kong.
This year’s show – the fourth sponsored by Smith & Williamson, includes work by two prestigious invited artists – painter and Royal Academician Jock McFadyen, and painter Carol Robertson of the Flowers Gallery in London.
The exhibition, which runs until November 25, attracted around 10,000 visitors last year.
Smith & Williamson Bristol managing partner Carl Deane said: “The beauty of this exhibition is that anyone can enter their work for a show which gives up-and-coming or undiscovered artists the opportunity to exhibit their work alongside those who are more established.
“As a firm we strive to play an active role in the cultural life of the city and this will continue with our co-sponsorship of February’s ‘Leonardo da Vinci: A Life in Drawing’ exhibition.” Smith & Williamson employs around 1,700 people across its 12 offices including Bristol.
Pictured below, from left: Mike Lea of Smith & Williamson, Lady Mary Prior and Lord John Prior
Pictured below, from left: Nick James of Smith & Williamson, Elizabeth Stilwell, Louise Somerset of Smith & Williamson, and Helen Thornhill
Pictured below, from left: Former Mayor of Bristol George Ferguson, David Sproxton from Aardman Animations and Louise Thornhill of Smith & Williamson
Pictured below: Guests enjoying the artworks at the open evening
Pictured below: Guest Mark Pooley, Carl Deane and Ian Richley of Smith & Williamson, and Tanya Stratton
Pictured below: John Erskine of Smith & Williamson with guest Colin Williams
Pictured below: John Erskine and Louise Thornhill of Smith & Williamson with members of the Breeden family
