Published on April 11, 2026
It’s interesting to see how many national art societies not affiliated with the Federation of British Artists are now holding their annual exhibitions at the Mall Galleries. The trend reflects a growing movement towards inclusivity in the art community, allowing diverse voices and artistic expressions to showcase their work in a prestigious venue.
Currently, the Mall Galleries hosts several prominent art societies, including:
– The Society of Botanical Artists (SBA), known for their biennial exhibitions, with the next one scheduled for 2027.
– The Society of Graphic Fine Art (SGFA), currently showcasing work in the West and North Gallery until March 14, 2026.
– The Society of Women Artists (SWA), a long-term regular exhibitor with their next annual exhibition planned for June 23-27, 2026.
– The UK Coloured Pencil Society (UKCPS), which will celebrate its 25th anniversary with a show from March 17-25, 2026.
The possibility remains that some of these societies may consider joining the Federation of British Artists in the future.
The Society of Graphic Fine Art is particularly noteworthy as it is currently exhibiting its 105th Annual Open Exhibition at the Mall Galleries. Interestingly referred to as “The Drawing Society,” it has seemingly lost some focus on its original drawing-centric mission, with the term “drawing” absent from the current exhibition page on the Mall Galleries website.
Founded in 1919, the SGFA stands out as the only British society dedicated specifically to promoting and exhibiting original works of high quality in drawing. The organization emphasizes all forms of traditional and contemporary drawing and printmaking media, including pencil, pen, charcoal, pastel, oils, and watercolour. Today, the society boasts 160 elected members who are professional artists committed to excellence in drawing.
Rooted in its past, the society was established teachers from the etching class at the London Central School of Arts, who shared the intent of upholding the significance of art forms that do not rely on color for expression. Their inaugural exhibition in 1921 garnered support from the Royal Academy, and the first president was the renowned artist Sir Frank Brangwyn.
Maintaining its focus on drawing excellence and draughtsmanship, the SGFA continues to emphasize high-quality work across a variety of media, encouraging both traditional and non-figurative approaches to art.
The 105th Annual Exhibition of the Society of Graphic Fine Art runs from March 9 to March 14, 2026, at the West and North Galleries of the Mall Galleries, and admission is free.
On a recent visit to the annual exhibition, I was struck and quality of the works on display. Photographs of the various artworks can be viewed in my Facebook Albums, showcasing the extraordinary talent within the society.
For more detailed insights into the exhibition, readers can explore further through additional resources available online.
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