Royal Society of Marine Artists

The Society which was founded in 1939 under the patronage of King George VI, collects and promotes contemporary British marine painting, drawing, sculpture and printmaking. It evolved from a major exhibition held that year entitled "Sea Power", which was opened by Winston Churchill as First Lord of the Admiralty, but owing to the onset of war the Society's own first exhibition was delayed until 1946. Royal status was granted in 1966. In addition to Artist Membership, there is a category for Lay Membership which is open to non-artists who wish to further marine art. The Society's annual exhibition is open to members and non-members alike and is held at the Mall Galleries in October or November.

The National Maritime Museum formerly based at Greenwich, London has now been transferred to Falmouth, Cornwall. It houses amongst much seafaring ephemera, the Diploma Collection of the RSMA, currently approaching 100 works. On election to the Society, the appointed member donates a painting to the collection.

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