About

The Floating Circle is the online art magazine of the Friends of the RWA.

About the Royal West of England Academy (RWA)

The RWA  – Bristol’s first art gallery – brings world-class visual art to the South West.  

Located in a spectacular Grade II* listed building in the heart of the city, the RWA is the UK’s only regional Royal Academy of Art.

Through its extensive programme of exhibitions, events, talks and lectures, the RWA is committed to providing great art for everybody, and to promoting the understanding and enjoyment of art for the widest possible audience.

Uniquely to Bristol, exhibitions at the RWA always feature work by leading contemporary artists (including the RWA’s own Academicians) alongside great works from the past, opening up new and surprising contexts and discussions.

See what’s on and find out more about the RWA at rwa.org.uk

About the Friends of the RWA (FRWA)

The Friends of the RWA is an independent charity (1107149) set up to support the RWA. It is a vital source of income for the RWA and directly support exhibitions, educational activities and events.

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.

About The Floating Circle

The Floating Circle is an art magazine-blog made by the Friends for the Friends and for anyone interested in the visual arts in Bristol and beyond. It aims to showcase the art of the RWA – including that of contemporary Academicians and the gallery’s outstanding permanent collection of British paintings – and to celebrate all things arty and cultural in Bristol and the South West.

The name is taken from this 2003 painting by Margaret Gregory RWA, part of the RWA’s permanent collection:

The editor is Andrew Nixon. You can contact him via the form below.