On behalf of the President, Council and Members of the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours we invite Art Teachers to submit the work of students aged 11 and 18, the watercolourists of the future, for this year’s RI Coronation Award.
The Winner and two runners-up will be announced in February 2026.
This year the prize has been generously sponsored by The Borg Scott Charity who are offering a materials bursary of £800 to the winning school, as well as awarding art materials to the value of £100 to the First Prize Winner and to the value of £50 to each of the two Runners-Up. These prizes will all take the form of materials vouchers.
Certificates will also be awarded to up to a further ten entrants who the judges consider worthy of merit.
The three prize winners will have reproductions of their paintings exhibited at the 214th Exhibition of the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours at the Mall Galleries in London,
March 25th until April 11th 2026.
They will also be invited to have their prizes presented to them by the President of the RI and her guest speaker at the Private View of the Exhibition, which will be held at the Mall Galleries, London on Tuesday March 24th 2026 at 6.30 pm.
Please see below a gallery of the 40 shortlisted artists from last year’s exhibition:
Amelie M. Age 17, PINK FLOWERS IN VASE, Antrim Grammar
Asana U. Age 13, OUR GARDEN, Wycombe High School
Harriet L. Age 15, STREET RATS, Rastrick High School
Robyn M. Age 14, SUNFLOWER BUMBLEBEE, Aylesbury High School
Alice H. Age 17, SELF PORTRAIT IN KIMONO, Barton Court
Maya D. Age 17, SPOT THE DIFFERENCE, Barton Court
Milly W. Age 18 , OPHELIA, Barton Court
Olivia K. Age 16, MOTHER, Bishops Stortford College
Kseniia H. Age 17, PINEAPPLE, Bishops Stortford College
Katie L. Age 16, KAYLEY, AYLA and ARIEL, BOA Academy
Raisa S. Age 13, A BEAUTIFUL DAY, Cranford Community College
Arabella S. Age 11, BLUE FOOTED BOOBY, Cygnets Art School
Matilda G. Age 12, FLOWERS, The Abbey
Eva C. Age 16, SUNDAY WALKS, Denmark Road High School
Maryam P. Age 16 , BACK OF THE GARDEN, Denmark Road High School
Xiyuan Y. Age 16, LIGHT & MARBLES, Denmark Road High School
Chloe W. Age 15, PAPILIO, Exeter School
Poppy P. Age 15 , NEW BEGINNINGS, Falibroome Academy
Eva H. Age 16, RISHIMA, Guildford High School
Tara S. Age 16, HANDS, Harrogate Ladies College
Poppy-Mae F. Age 18, MACRO MOULD, Hurst Lodge School
Toby T. Age 16, SUNFLOWERS, Hurst Lodge School
Beth F. Age 16, OYSTERS, Kings Priory School
Layla S. Age 18, UNTITLED, Middlesbrough College
Chloe B. Age 16, FAMILIAR GLOW, MK College
Eftehab Bin R. Age 17, UNTITLED, Oaklands School
Yumna Z. Age 16, WALK AROUND OXFORD, Oxford High School
Samuel M. Age 16, LYCHEE SKINS, Rougemont School
Caitlin B. Age 16, UNTITLED, Rougemont School
Nell G. Age 13, GIRL WITH THE NEW EARRING, St. Francis School
Bonnie C. Age 17, TOMATOES, St. Martins School
Amber C. Age 17, POMEGRANATE, St. Martins School
Charlie K. Age 18, FRAGILE, St. Martins School
Rose V. Age 18, HIDDEN FLAWS, St. Martins School
Fallon B. Age 17, TELL HER STORY, St. Simon Stock Catholic School
Katherine-Rose M. Age 17, UNTITLED, Swakeleys School
Danielle O. Age 12, SELF PORTRAIT WITH LILIES, Truro High School
Eleanor G. Age 16, ROOM, Denmark Road High School
Anais G-M. Age 12, WOMAN IN SILVER, Wimbledon High School
Senya P. Age 13, WE FELL IN LOVE IN SEPTEMBER Queen Anne’s School