Royal Ulster Academy
Encyclopedia
The Royal Ulster Academy (RUA) has existed in one form or another since 1879. It started life then, as The Belfast Ramblers' Sketching Club. In 1890 it became The Belfast Art Society; later in 1930 it was changed to "The Ulster Academy of Arts" and Sir John Lavery was elected its first President: finally, in 1950 King George VI conferred the title, The Royal Ulster Academy of Arts, upon the institution.
Today the Royal Ulster Academy of Arts (RUA) is a flourishing artists' organization. Many of Ireland
's most distinguished artists are exhibiting members of the Academy.
Its Annual Exhibition is the largest, open art exhibition in Northern Ireland
, attracting many hundreds of artist entrants from Ireland and elsewhere.
Presidents of the Academy have included Sir John Lavery R.A, Morris Harding, William Conor
, Mercy Hunter, TP Flanagan, Joe McWilliams and Rita Duffy. The present president is Julian Friers RUA. Academicians include Basil Blackshaw
, Victor Sloan
, TP Flanagan, Graham Gingles, Jean Duncan, Neil Shawcross and Jack Pakenham.
The RUA Mission Statement is:
The Royal Ulster Academy is an artist led organisation which promotes both traditional and contemporary approaches to visual art through its exhibition and education program.
Today the Royal Ulster Academy of Arts (RUA) is a flourishing artists' organization. Many of Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
's most distinguished artists are exhibiting members of the Academy.
Its Annual Exhibition is the largest, open art exhibition in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
, attracting many hundreds of artist entrants from Ireland and elsewhere.
Presidents of the Academy have included Sir John Lavery R.A, Morris Harding, William Conor
William Conor
William Conor OBE was a Belfast, Northern Ireland born artist.Celebrated for his warm and sympathetic portrayals of working-class life in Ulster, William Conor studied at the Government School of Design in Belfast in the 1890s...
, Mercy Hunter, TP Flanagan, Joe McWilliams and Rita Duffy. The present president is Julian Friers RUA. Academicians include Basil Blackshaw
Basil Blackshaw
-Life:Born in Glengormley, County Antrim, Northern Ireland and brought up in Boardmills, County Down, Blackshaw attended Methodist College Belfast and studied at Belfast College of Art...
, Victor Sloan
Victor Sloan
Victor Sloan MBE is an Irish photographer and artist.Victor Sloan studied at the Royal School, Dungannon, Co. Tyrone and Belfast and Leeds Colleges of Art, England. He lives and works in Portadown, County Armagh in Northern Ireland...
, TP Flanagan, Graham Gingles, Jean Duncan, Neil Shawcross and Jack Pakenham.
The RUA Mission Statement is:
The Royal Ulster Academy is an artist led organisation which promotes both traditional and contemporary approaches to visual art through its exhibition and education program.