1. The Royal Watercolour Society
Talk by Thomas Plunkett PRWS
University of Chester
10th December 2015

2. RWS Founded in 1804
The Royal Watercolour Society (RWS) was founded in 1804 and is the oldest and most prestigious watercolour society in the world.  Past Members include Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema, Samuel Palmer, E.R. Hughes, William Hunt, Henry Moore and John Singer Sargent.
From our home at Bankside Gallery, situated on the vibrant Southbank next door to Tate Modern, we hold regular exhibitions showcasing the best in water-based media.  The Society also hosts talks, watercolour courses, family art events, open competition and art demonstrations

4. Current members of the RWS include Ken Howard RA, David Remfry RA, Sir Peter Blake, Richard Bawden and Anthony Eyton RA, Sonia Lawson RA and Diana Armfield RA

6. The Royal Watercolour Society’s annual Contemporary Open Watercolour Competition encourages innovation and experimentation in all water-based media and provides a platform for both established and emerging artists.  This is the UK's only major watercolour competition open to international artists.
Entry is now open and the deadline for entries is the 18th
January.
Judges are: Richard Selby (Redfern Gallery)
Sam Cornish (Curator/ Art Writer)
Thomas Plunkett PRWS
Wendy Jacob (RWS Member)
John Crossley (RWS Associate Member)

7. RWS Archive and Digitisation ER Hughes “What’s that in the Hollow” current

8. Sir Lawrence Alma Tadema

9. Sir Edward Coley Bryne Jones

10. A Cornish Haven Henry Scott Southall

11. The Society’s fascinating history can be discovered through the use of our archives which are held in Westminster and contain documents from the foundation of the Society to the present day.  The Diploma Collection contains one work from each artist who has ever been a Member.  The Society is active in loaning works of art from our collection and assisting in research.

12. RWS The Future

14. RWS Galleries Whitcomb Street
“A key feature of the development is its historic subterranean vaults. Previously used to store art works and now in disrepair, these vaults will be transformed into a new public art gallery for the Royal Watercolour Society, returning the Society to its original Whitcomb Street home, after being evicted in the 19th century”.

26. Ceremonial Funeral of Baroness Thatcher

38. Chester Cathedral Interior

39. Chester Graduation Procession

40. Chester Chapel interior