Annual Exhibition Gets Off To Sparkling Start

The ROI 123rd annual exhibition got off to a glittering  start yesterday with a private view attracting a  wide array of guests. It was opened by Commendatore Antonio Carluccio  - best know for his food business but also a lover of painting. Antonio has just been made a patron of the ROI. Here he is with  President Peter Wileman and Peter's  painting of his daughter Olivia.

The 260 paintings on display were also keenly viewed by another ROI Patron - former Government Minister Michael Portillo.

Michael  Portillo chatting here with ROI member Ken Howard. And here are Ken's sparkling pictures in this year's exhibition.

Here's  Past President Dennis Syrett with his amazing painting which won the DAS Award at this year's exhibtion.

There was a great showing in the Winsor and Newton Under 35  Young  Painters section

Visitors to this years exhibition inluded Dr Sally Bulgin (left) Editor of The Artist  Magazine and Cathy Gosling from Anova Books which produces a range of excellent art book titles.

Now take a look at other members and guests looking at this years exhibtion. Don't forget double click in any image to see an enlargement

 Can you tell what it is yet? Rolf Harris by June Mendoza ROI

 Provisional ROI member Adebanji Alade (right)  discusses some of the work

 David Curtis ROI, with Presidents past and present Dennis Syrett and Peter Wileman

The Hill family from Norfolk who own  the Picturecraft  Gallery, art materials  and framing shops in the charming Georgian market town of  Holt.

 David  Curtis  ROI with ROI Treasurer  Pat Syrett

 A brace of Robins - ROI member Robin McEvoy chats with watercolour artist Dr Robin Macdonald

ROI Provisional Member Brian Ryder with that "I've just sold a painting " look

 Adrian Hill , Managing Director of the Picturecraft Gallery in Holt, Norfolk

 The legendary  painter Trevor Chamberlain  ROI in good form with some of his entries.

It's a  really  sparking show so do come along. It runs until Sunday Dec 19. Don't forget also the Art Event Evening on Dec 16 when you can come along and paint alongside ROI memers in the gallery - or just watch. Tickets availble from the Mall Galleries