Artists are invited to submit work for exhibition alongside members of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters at the ROI Annual Exhibition 2025
The Royal Institute of Oil Painters was founded in 1882 and is the only major British art society that promotes and exhibits work of the highest standard exclusively in oil paint.
The ROI Annual Exhibition features work by many exciting emerging painters alongside the work of more established names.
Works on a Theme: HOME
This year’s special theme is ‘HOME’ – for which The ROI Themed Painting Prize is on offer to the best interpretation. However the theme is optional, one aspect of a larger exhibition, to which oil paintings of all subjects are welcome.
Successful applicants can expect:
• To have their selected work included in the ROI Annual Exhibition at Mall Galleries, in the gallery, and online
• Eligibility to win prizes and awards
• An invitation to the Private View
• The chance to sell their work
• To be part of a network of exhibiting artists dating back to 1882 when the ROI was founded
• The possibility of election to membership (for more information about becoming a member, please visit the ROI website)
Submissions are ONLINE ONLY and open until Friday 10 October 2025
Please note that, as of this year, all work by submitting artists must be for sale.
Prizes & Awards
The ROI offers the following prizes and awards:
NEW The Lady of the Chateau Award
For a work that reveals the world through a luminous, deeply personal lens — a place in our immersive painting workshops at Château de Puy Vidal in southwest France
The Roger Remington Award
£4,000 for an outstanding painting
Winsor & Newton Young Artist Award | First Prize
£1,000 Winsor & Newton Fine Art Materials for an artist aged 30 or under
Winsor & Newton Young Artist Award | Second Prize
£600 Winsor & Newton Fine Art Materials for an artist aged 30 or under
Winsor & Newton Young Artist Award | Third Prize
£400 Winsor & Newton Fine Art Materials for an artist aged 30 or under
The Peter Wileman Award
£500 for an imaginative work
The ROI Themed Painting Prize
£500 for the standout painting on the theme of ‘HOME’
The Stanley Grimm Prize
Two awards totalling £700 (first prize £400, second prize £300), to the painters whose works receive the most votes from visitors to the exhibition
The Menena Joy Schwabe Memorial Award
An award of £250 for an outstanding oil painter
The ROI Emerging Artist Prize
A prize of £250 and the opportunity to spend a day with one of the Institute’s members, for an artist aged 30 or under
The Rosemary Brushes Award
For expressive brushwork, a voucher for £250 worth of Rosemary & Co Artist Brushes
The Small Painting Prize
An award of £250 for the best small painting on display (maximum dimension of 30.5 cm, excluding frame)
The Tony Merrick Memorial Prize
An award of £250 in memory of Tony Merrick ROI (1948-2018)
Winsor & Newton Non-member Award
£150 Winsor & Newton Fine Art Materials
Art Academy London Award
A prize of a term’s worth of life drawing classes (worth £125) for an outstanding emerging painter
The Artist Magazine Award
The winning artist will be featured in a forthcoming issue of The Artist magazine, print and digital editions
The Dry Red Press Award
The winning work will be published as a greetings card by Dry Red Press in their ‘Prize Winners’ range
Frank Herring Easel Award
An award of a versatile easel
The Le Clerc Fowle Medal
In memory of Anne Le Clerc Fowle, presented annually for an outstanding group of paintings
The Dartington Crystal Chalice
Presented to a member in recognition of outstanding service and contribution
Plus:
Alongside these awards, the ROI will present a number of certificates of commendation to artists whose work is considered to be exceptional.
“I would love to see more artists having the chance to exhibit alongside us at this prestigious event. When I had my first chance, I was over the moon and just being associated with this society has really boosted my career in the most positive ways.“
Adebanji Alade – President
Key Dates
Submissions open: Monday 9 June 2025, 12 noon
Submissions close: Friday 10 October, 12 noon
Notification of selection: Friday 24 October, 12 noon
Receiving Day (if selected): Saturday 15 November, 10am to 5pm
Private View (invite only): Wednesday 26 November, 2pm to 8pm, official opening at 3pm
Exhibition opens: Thursday 27 November, 10am to 5pm daily
Exhibition closes: Saturday 13 December, 5pm
Collection of unsold work: Tuesday 16 December, 10am to 5pm
How to Submit
A single-stage online judging of all submitted works will take place, after which selected works should be delivered to Mall Galleries, London, for inclusion in the exhibition:
• Register or log in to our Open Exhibition Submission System (OESS) to submit between Monday 9 June and Friday 10 October 2025
Upload your image/s in JPEG or PNG format and under 5MB. One image per submission must be submitted, showing the complete work. An optional two additional images per work may be submitted, showing details (including framing if applicable).
The judges will make their decision based on these images, so please ensure that photographs are accurate and show work at its best.
Also required is the title, medium, size (cm), year of completion, and price of each work, plus there is the option to add an artwork description.
• Log in to the OESS from 12 noon on Friday 24 October to see if your work has been selected
• If selected, deliver your work on Saturday 15 November, 10am to 5pm, to Mall Galleries, 17 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5BD
Works should be delivered unwrapped with the relevant form and labels, which are downloadable from the OESS upon notification of selection.