560+ artworks • 390+ artists • 186 years

To commemorate the 1916 Easter Rising, the 186th RHA Annual Exhibition will return to its original time of the year and is open to the public from Tuesday 22 March. In 2017 it will return to its usual showing from May – August.

Ireland’s largest and longest established open submission exhibition, now in its 186th year, includes painting, sculpture, photography, print, drawing and architectural models by Academy members, invited artists and artists selected through the open submission process.

As reported in the Irish Times, 2015 saw a 32% increase in sales and year on year the RHA Annual Exhibition offers the discerning collector an unparalleled opportunity to view work by established artists and new talent, hanging side by side.

 “The RHA Annual Exhibition has always been regarded as one of the largest selling exhibitions in the art calendar and its recent sales increase is seen as a positive indicator of a growing art market. In 2015, the RHA saw a marked increase in the total sales compared to the last number of years and more importantly, a sharp spike in the number of pieces sold. The large majority of works sold were in the bracket below €2,000 with a large number of print and photographic editions selling out, with Irish photography proving to be extremely popular with new and existing buyers. Crucially, any significant sales growth is central to the visual arts community in terms of income generation, indicating a more confident and optimistic market, that will be of benefit to artists and makers.” Ruth Carroll, Exhibitions Curator

2016 will also see a prize fund of €55,000+ distributed across the various disciplines. The RHA is greatly indebted to our generous sponsors who contribute generously to this prize fund, offering invaluable additional recognition and financial support to the artists.

With all gallery spaces dedicated to this exhibition, the RHA presents the visitor with a unique opportunity to view work by artists at every level of their career, from new talent to established artists, hanging side by side. The RHA 186^th Annual Exhibition is the perfect spotting ground for the aspiring and discerning collector

This years exhibitors include, John Behan RHA, Liam Belton RHA, Pauline Bewick RHA, Helen G.Blake, Comhghall Casey, Oliver Comerford, Gary Coyle RHA, David Crone RHA, Michael Cullen RHA, Niall De Buitlear, Mollie Douthit, Joe Dunne RHA, James English RHA, David Farrell, Martin Gale RHA, Joy Gerrard, Richard Gorman RHA, Guggi, James Hanley RHA, Charles Harper RHA, Pat Harris ARHA, Colin Harrison, Martin Healy, Dragana Jurisic, Joanna Kidney, Colm MacAthlaoich, Alice Maher RHA, Colin Martin RHA, Philip Moss, Janet Mullarney ARHA, Carolyn Mulholland RHA, Maeve McCarthy RHA, Stephen McKenna PPRHA, Tadhg McSweeney, Maggie Madden, Abigail O’Brien RHA, Eilis O’Connell RHA, Mick O’Dea PRHA, Geraldine O’Neill ARHA, Vivienne Roche RHA, Stephanie Rowe, Una Sealy RHA, John Shinnors, Amelia Stein RHA, Imogen Stuart RHA, Donald Teskey RHA and Michael Warren RHA.

Admission is free and the exhibition is supported by a full colour catalogue costing € 20.