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…
Framing is sometimes thought of as an afterthought, but in reality it’s a crucial part of the art process. It shapes how a work is seen, how it sits in a space, and how it lasts over time.
Following our interviews with the art suppliers and galleries, we spoke to three of the framers supporting the Friends’ Exhibition about their work, and the role they play in bringing artworks to their final form.
Coldharbour Gallery and Framing
Coldharbour Gallery and Framing is run by Sarah Cowper and Daniel Luscombe (above), combining a gallery that showcases the work of 46 local artists with a large workshop offering a bespoke framing service.
Their decision to support the Friends’ Exhibition comes from a strong sense of connection to the wider visual arts community in the West of England. As they put it, their mission is “to support and encourage the visual arts in the West of England,” and sponsoring the exhibition is one way of giving “a small bit back to that community.”
They are especially alert to the effort involved in preparing work for exhibition. As gallery owners and framers, they know how much “preparation, organisation, effort and cost” can go into getting artwork exhibition-ready, and understand how satisfying it is to have a piece selected and hung.
That practical understanding sits alongside a wider appreciation of the RWA itself. They describe Bristol as “very lucky to have this leading centre for the visual arts,” associating the RWA with “ambitious and innovative exhibitions taking place in an amazing building.” As Friends of the RWA themselves, they also value the talks and workshops they have enjoyed there over the years.
Coldharbour’s own place in Bristol’s art scene is both broad and hands-on. Alongside the gallery’s 102 exhibited works, they see a huge range of artwork through framing consultations and are “always keen to advise and assist the visual arts community,” whether through promotion, exhibiting, installation or display.
Niche Frames
Niche Frames has been part of Bristol’s creative community for over 30 years, providing bespoke picture framing and professional printing services for artists, photographers and local customers. Run by co-owner Rupert, the business has grown alongside the city’s evolving art scene, from its early days on Stokes Croft to its current home further up Gloucester Road.
That long history is closely tied to Bristol’s artists. Rupert reflects that their longevity is owed in large part to “the thriving arts scene in Bristol,” recalling how their original premises sat “in the heart of an up-and-coming street art scene,” surrounded by studios such as Jamaica Street and Hamilton House.
Their involvement with the Friends’ Exhibition is part of that wider engagement. “We have sponsored the RWA shows for several years,” Rupert says, valuing the opportunity to be part of the process — including “helping artists select the most suitable frames for their work.”
That role — somewhere between technical and collaborative — is shaped by experience. Having worked with artists across decades and disciplines, Niche has seen first-hand how presentation affects perception, particularly in open exhibitions where “a wide range of styles and mediums” come together each year.
Now based on Gloucester Road, they continue to be part of the local creative fabric, recently becoming a venue for the North Bristol Arts Trail and remaining closely connected to the artists who pass through their workshop.
Sky Blue – Creative Framing & Gallery
Sky Blue, based in Westbury Park, has been part of Bristol’s arts community since 1998. Run by Mike Ogden, the business offers bespoke picture framing for a wide range of clients — from first-time exhibitors to established artists and collectors — with a focus on both protection and presentation.
For Mike, framing is not simply a finishing touch, but an integral part of how art is experienced. “Framing is such an important part of how art is experienced,” he says, and the aim is always to ensure that each piece is “beautifully presented at its best” before it reaches the wall.
That understanding carries through into Sky Blue’s long-standing support for the Friends’ Exhibition. It is, Mike explains, “something we’ve done for many years,” reflecting a desire “to support the creative community we’re part of and help nurture the city’s talent.” He is particularly aware of what the opportunity to exhibit can mean for artists: being selected for a show at the RWA can give “a massive boost to their confidence,” sometimes changing how they see themselves and their work.
As an artist himself, Mike brings a personal appreciation to that process, recognising “the skill and passion that goes into creating every piece of art.” Supporting the exhibition is therefore both practical and meaningful — whether through sponsorship or by helping prize winners have their work “professionally framed.”
His view of the RWA reflects a similar balance of admiration and purpose. It is “such an important part of Bristol’s cultural life,” he says, valued not only by artists but by anyone curious about the visual arts. He points to its role in promoting excellence, educating visitors, and “opening up the arts to more people,” while also noting, from a framer’s perspective, the care it takes in maintaining its permanent collection.
Through their own gallery and workshop, Sky Blue remains closely involved in the day-to-day life of the city’s art scene. They encounter a constant variety of work and “love to advise on how best to present it for maximum impact,” maintaining a hands-on relationship with the artists they support.
As Mike puts it, craftsmanship and creativity sit at the heart of what they do — and being part of Bristol’s vibrant arts community is “not just good for business, but something we genuinely care about.”
A shared craft
Framing is not simply a technical service, but a considered process — one that shapes how a piece is seen, understood and ultimately valued.
Like the suppliers in our previous post, these framers are part of the wider ecology of making and showing art in Bristol. They work closely with artists at a pivotal stage, helping to prepare work for exhibition and giving it the presence it needs on the wall.
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 