Queen Elizabeth II (21 April 1926 – 8 September 2022)

‘Her Majesty The Queen at the Royal West of England Academy’ by Jerry Hicks RWA (1927–2014). © the artist’s estate. Photo credit: RWA

The Friends were deeply saddened by the death of Her Majesty The Queen, Elizabeth II, on 8 September 2022.

The RWA is the only regional Royal Academy, and the reigning monarch remains our Patron.  King Charles III, as Prince of Wales, has regularly contributed landscape paintings to the annual Open exhibition and has been an Honorary Academician since 2008. 

The Queen visited the RWA in 1999, toured the galleries and met supporters and staff. This delightful portrait, inspired by the visit, was painted by Academician Jerry Hicks.

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The Friends of the RWA is an independent charity that supports the Royal West of England Academy, Bristol’s first art gallery. 

For just £35 a year Friends can make unlimited visits to RWA exhibitions and enjoy a host of other benefits, as well as making an important contribution to the arts in Bristol and the South West. Find out more and join up here.