Society of Wildlife Artists

Overview

The Society of Wildlife Artists invites submissions for the 63rd Annual Exhibition: The Natural Eye 2026 at Mall Galleries, London. The exhibition showcases the very best of fine art inspired by the natural world and offers prizes and awards worth over £5,000.

What to Submit

Works must depict wildlife subjects and evoke the spirit of the natural world. The Society welcomes all forms of two and three-dimensional artwork representing the world's wildlife, demonstrating fresh vision, imagination, artistic ability, originality and creativity.

Eligibility

• Any artist aged 18 or over from anywhere in the world
• Maximum six works per artist
• Work must have been completed within the last three years
• Not previously exhibited at Mall Galleries
• No larger than 2.4m along the longest dimension
• Original creation by the artist only
• Wildlife subjects only: birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, crustaceans, insects
• No botanical subjects, pets, domestic animals, or decorative wares

How to Submit

Register or log in to the Open Exhibition Submission System (OESS) to submit between 12 noon Friday 1 May and Friday 7 August 2026. Upload images in JPEG or PNG format under 5MB. One image per submission showing the complete work must be submitted; two optional additional detail images per work may be submitted. Include title, medium, size (cm), year of completion, weight (for sculptures only), and price for each work.

Key Dates

• Submissions open: Friday 1 May 2026, 12 noon
• Submissions close: Friday 7 August 2026, 12 noon
• Notification of selection: Friday 21 August 2026, 12 noon
• Receiving Day (if selected): Saturday 19 September, 10am to 5pm
• Private View (invite only): Wednesday 30 September, 2pm to 8pm; official opening 3:30pm
• Exhibition opens: Thursday 1 October, 10am to 5pm daily
• Exhibition closes: Saturday 10 October, 5pm
• Collection of unsold work: Thursday 15 October, 10am to 5pm

Prizes & Awards

The exhibition offers numerous prizes including the prestigious Birdwatch and Swarovski Optik Artist of the Year Award (spotting scope valued at £2,430 plus BirdGuides/Birdwatch subscription), BIRDscapes Gallery 'Conservation through Art' Award (£1,000 shared with a conservation organisation), British Trust for Ornithology Award (£500), Daler-Rowney Award (£500 materials), Head & Heart Award (£500), RSPB Award (£500), Swarovski Optik New Artist Award (£250), Michael Harding Oil Painting Prize (£500 materials), Michael Harding Watercolour Painting Prize (£500 materials), Art Safari Works on Paper Award (£250), Mall Galleries/FBA Award (ten free submissions worth up to £220), Dry Red Press Award (work reproduced as greetings card), and Trymwood Studios Art Prize (solo exhibition opportunity).

Submission Details

Submit images showing complete works with accurate photography avoiding reflections, out of focus images, or bad angles. Sculptors should use plain backgrounds and multiple views. Upon notification of selection, deliver work on Saturday 19 September, 10am to 5pm, unwrapped with relevant form and labels to: Mall Galleries, 17 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5BD.