Category Archives: Exhibitions

The 72nd Annual Exhibition draws to a close.

As we have come to the end of another enjoyable Annual Exhibition, based on the repeated comments of how well it was organised and displayed and how high the standard of work was this year, I think we can safely say it has been a real success.
Some of the comments in the visitor’s book say it all:
“Wonderful exhibition, we will be back next year”.
“Excellent exhibition – best one yet!”
“Improves every year, splendid!”
“A really interesting mix of media, meaning that there was something for everyone and it stimulated much discussion”.
“Great talent on show thanks to the organisers!”
“I’ve seen a few exhibitions recently. This by far is the best, it’s fantastic!”
“Thank you! Wonderful selection and so uplifting.”
“What a great exhibition – lovely feel and a peaceful space to view such talent”.
“Probably the best exhibition I have seen by far in a very long time, excellent. Fabulous
Work”

This year we were honoured to have two guest artists exhibiting with us; Anthony Connolly PRP and David Brayne Hon.RWS. Anthony is President of the Royal Society of Portrait painters and one of our Patrons and David who was one of our judges last year is an honorary member of the Royal Watercolour Society.
Thank you to our External Judges Richard Pikesley PPNEAC RWS and John Walsom ROI.
A very big thank you to all our sponsors, who generously provide the prize money for the awards.
Thank you to the headmaster of Kings School 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.
Well done to all our artists who took part and a special thank you to our Secretary Jean Stevens who took over as curator at unbelievably short notice, when this particular curator fell ill.


Sally Ridout – BAS Exhibition Secretary ( curator ) 2025

The 72nd Annual Exhibition opens on Saturday 16th August at Kings Bruton

Here’s a small selection of some of the art that will be on display. The exhibition runs until 23rd August at Kings Bruton Memorial Hall and promises to be an exciting show with some of the best artists in the region entering.

King’s Bruton Memorial Hall
Bruton Somerset BA10 0E
Saturday 16 – Saturday 23 August 10 – 4 Daily

Entries to the 72nd Annual exhibition close soon

BAS MEMBERS! LESS THAN A WEEK UNTIL ENTRIES CLOSE!
If you want to be a part of this years glorious exhibition you have less than a week to go to get your entries in. 
An opportunity to sell your work and/or win a prize. This year the prize money on offer is well over £1500 including The Joy Barnes Award now £500 and the Vittorio Zanetti Drawing Award now £200.
Don’t miss the opportunity. Entries close at midnight on 20th June.

Call for Entries for the 72nd Annual Exhibition is now open…..

With just over 3 months to go until our 72nd Annual Art Exhibition at the Memorial Hall, King’s Bruton, the Committee is pleased to announce that the “Call for Entries” is open today, 2nd May. If you are a BAS member, and are interested in entering work for the exhibition, please click the button and follow the links……

(Image “An unexpected Joy” by Vanessa Fawcett winner of The Joy Barnes Award at 71st Annual Exhibition in 2024)

Are you ready for the Annual Exhibition 2024?

With just over 3 months to go until our 71st Annual Art Exhibition at the Memorial Hall, King’s Bruton, the Committee is pleased to announce that the “Call to Artists” will open on 1st May, with the deadline of midnight, 21st June.  Members are invited to submit up to five works for this years exhibition.

You will find more information and a link to the OESS entry system in the ‘Exhibitions’ section above.

A dazzling 70th Annual Exhibition comes to a close

As the dust settles on our 70th Annual Exhibition, we can all reflect on a job very well done. The show received almost unanimous praise, but of course none of it would have happened without the effort of a lot of people, from the high quality submissions of over 150 members to the crowd of volunteers who helped to hang and man the event. Thanks are also due to our loyal sponsors and to the entire committee for months of careful planning, but one person in particular should be mentioned for her unstinting efforts (for a second year) and that is Sally Ridout, our curator.