The 144th annual exhibition of the Royal Ulster Academy is open for entries – with Hamilton Architects once again sponsoring the Sculpture Award.
Founded in 1879, the RUA is the largest and longest-established body of practicing visual artists in Northern Ireland. The Academy is dedicated to advancing public education by providing a platform for local artists, the wider Irish arts community, and international contributors.
Paul Millar of Hamilton Architects said: “The practice has been sponsoring awards at the RUA annual exhibition for many years and we have always been impressed by the sheer number and standard of entries.
“During that time, we have supported a number of different categories, but there is one common denominator: we are always delighted by the talent shown by our winners and follow their burgeoning careers with great interest.”
Submissions for the 2025 exhibition, which will run at the Ulster Museum in Belfast from mid-October until 6th January, 2026, are being sought from both emerging and established artists.
Entry categories include landscape, drawing, photography, textile, video and watercolour. Awards will also be made to most outstanding entries from members and open submission, as well as gallery invitations and residency bursary. Last year’s winner, Dublin ceramicist Grainne Watts, impressed with ‘Oval Wall Form’, inspired by the Irish coastline. Grainne works with porcelain and stoneware clays, using layers of vibrant underglazes and slips to create interesting surface detail.
The 2024 Hamilton Architects winner, sculptress Grainne Watts
