73rd Annual Exhibition
Saturday 22nd – 29th August 2026
Memorial Hall, Kings Bruton
We have come to the end of another enjoyable Annual Exhibition, and the feedback from our members and visitors has been overwhelmingly positive. We heard repeatedly that our visitors thought the standard of the exhibition was very high. I think we can confidently say that it has been a real success.
We had some wonderful comments in the visitor’s book: “Wow, what an amazing exhibition! So much talent!” “A fantastic, varied exhibition. Such talented artists.” “Beautifully curated works of art.” “Hard to choose a favourite with such an array of talent!” “Great, eclectic exhibition.” “A very high standard, beautifully curated.”
This year we were honoured to have our Patron, Anthony Connolly PRP, exhibiting with us. Anthony is President of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters. We also had last year’s judges as two guest exhibitors; Richard Pikesley PPNEAC, RWS, and John Walsom ROI.
Thank you to this year’s external Judges: Maria Rose ROI and Will Montgomery. A very big thank you to all our sponsors, who generously provide the prize money for the awards. Thank you to the headmaster of King’s School, Matt Radley, for letting us use the beautiful Memorial Hall again and last but certainly not least, thank you to all our volunteer members who helped with hanging, stewarding and sorting. Their contribution to the success of the Exhibition is unquestionable and we would struggle without them. Congratulations to all our award winners and well done to all our artists who took part exhibited this year.
Jean Stevens – BAS Exhibition Secretary & Curator 2026
We are pleased to announce the prize winners for this year:
| Joy Barnes Award | Gillian Flack | The Blue Peter Inn, Polperro |
| Joy Barnes Runner Up | Arabella Brooke | Coming Home |
| Portrait/ Figure Award | James Budden | Body Double |
| Still Life/Floral Award | Carolyne Moran | Wicker Screen |
| Landscape Award | Peb Burfoot | The Old Apple Barn |
| Abstract Award | Melissa Wishart | Sea Light, Sidmouth |
| Vittorio Zanetti Award for Drawing | Jules Horn | Studies of Anastasia |
| Original Print Award | Rachel Sargent | Woodland Stream |
| Sculpture Award | Arabella Brooke | Still Point In A Turning World |
| Mixed Media Award | Gary Cook | Pitts lane Oaks |
| Public Vote Award | Sue Hardy | Winter On The Hill |
Many thanks to our sponsors:
