The Friends of the RWA Exhibition 2026, which opens on 26 March, is made possible by generous sponsors – all of them local art shops, framers and galleries. Here, we meet the owners behind these wonderful Bristol institutions…
Every artist starts somewhere, and often it’s not in a gallery or studio, but in a shop — choosing a first set of brushes, testing papers, asking questions, or simply looking around and imagining what might be possible.
Bristol is fortunate to have a cluster of independent art suppliers who, as well as selling materials, offer advice, enthusiasm and encouragement.
We spoke to a few of the people behind these shops — long-standing supporters and sponsors of the Friends’ Exhibition — about what they do, and what they see in Bristol’s creative community.
Bristol Fine Art
Bristol Fine Art has been part of the city’s artistic life for over 90 years, operating from the same premises on Park Row. Since 2010 it has been run by Nick George, who continues that long tradition of supplying materials and supporting local artists.
Over time, a shop like this becomes part of the fabric of the city, supporting artists through whatever circumstances arise. “During Covid, we were the only local art shop to stay open, selling from the door and offering a free delivery service to keep Bristol artists stocked with materials.” says Nick.
Nick’s connection to the RWA and its community runs deep: “Bristol is very lucky to have the RWA — it’s a premier, historic and independent gallery.”
Beyond the shop itself, Bristol Fine Art continues to evolve — from bespoke framing at BV Studios in Bedminster to producing their own artist-grade materials — while maintaining that core relationship with the city’s artists.
Cass Art Bristol
Cass Art Bristol has been part of the city’s creative life since opening on Park Street in 2014. The store is managed by Debbie (above), who has been there since day one — and, as an artist herself, brings both practical knowledge and a genuine enthusiasm for making.
For many people, it’s a first step into art — a place where the idea of making something begins to feel possible. That sense of openness is central to what Cass Art tries to do. As Debbie puts it, “Cass Art is on a mission to bring out the artist in everyone — no matter what your current experience.”
That philosophy plays out in everyday encounters. Debbie describes the pleasure of meeting customers who are “taking up something new or returning to painting and drawing — sometimes after several decades,” and being able to share ideas and encouragement in a creative, informal setting.
Her connection to the RWA reflects that same purpose. “The RWA is such an important resource for art in the south west,” she says, noting that its charitable work sits closely alongside Cass’s own mission. The Friends’ Exhibition, in particular, stands out as “a brilliant and eclectic mix of work from the talented Friends who support the RWA.”
Huw Richards Evans Contemporary
Huw Richards Evans established his gallery in Clifton Arcade in 2023, creating a space to exhibit his own work alongside that of other local artists. It’s a family endeavour — his son Billy curates an annual exhibition for young artists from the South West and helps run the gallery — and the programme changes regularly to give as many artists as possible a chance to be seen.
That sense of opportunity sits at the heart of Huw’s involvement with the Friends’ Exhibition. He speaks of “great artists to be found” and values the way the Friends of the RWA offer “opportunities, support and encouragement to new talent within the framework of a great institution.”
His own path into the Bristol art scene has been gradual and deeply embedded in the local community — from early involvement with North Bristol Artists and the art trails, through to exhibitions across the city, talks and workshops, and collaborations such as a large-scale piece for the University of Bristol’s Mathematics Department. More recently, he has been invited to act as lead selector for Clevedon Art Week.
Alongside this, his admiration for the RWA reflects a broader view of its role in the city. It is, he says, “extremely important to the area and wider community,” not only for the quality of its exhibitions, but for the way it invites people to encounter work they “might not normally consider,” in a setting that makes that exploration feel accessible.
Room 212
Room 212 shop and gallery, on Gloucester Road, is run by Hemali Modha — a practising artist as well as a gallery owner. Alongside showing and supporting predominantly local artists, she remains closely connected to the experience of making work herself.
Her decision to sponsor the Friends’ Exhibition comes from that same place of involvement. “I’m a Friends member myself,” she explains, and has seen first-hand how much the group contributes to the RWA — “not just financially, but through active engagement, encouragement, and enthusiasm.” The exhibition, she says, feels “open and celebratory,” and offers a valuable platform for artists within that community.
Hemali’s affection for the RWA is both personal and architectural. She describes the building as “magnificent — full of history and presence,” and singles out the main glass-lit gallery as one of her favourite spaces. “There’s something very special about seeing art in natural light,” she says, admitting she still gets “a little buzz” walking up the spiral staircase into the gallery.
More broadly, she values the balance the RWA strikes between tradition and change — a place that “honours its heritage while continuing to grow and evolve,” while remaining open to artists and audiences alike.
For Hemali, as for many others in Bristol’s art scene, that combination of making, showing and supporting others is not easily separated. Creativity runs through all of it — “whether that’s through running the gallery, quietly working on my own pieces, or encouraging and championing other artists around me.”
A shared thread
What comes through from all these conversations is a shared ethos: that art is not a remote or rarefied activity, but something built day by day, often with the help of others.
These shops are part of that process, encouraging the artists whose work eventually finds its way onto gallery walls.
In our next post, we move from making to finishing — meeting the framers who help bring that work to its final form.
The 2026 Friends of the RWA exhibition runs from 26 March to 17 May in the Lower Ground Floor. All works are for sale and entry is free for all. More information is here.
The Floating Circle 