Society of Wildlife Artists
The Society of Wildlife Artists...
aims to generate an appreciation of and delight in the natural world and wildlife through all forms of fine art.
The focus of the Society’s year is our annual exhibition, The Natural Eye. This is an open exhibition, held every autumn at Mall Galleries. It is a showcase for the very best of art inspired by the natural world.
The Society of Wildlife Artists is a registered charity that aims to generate an appreciation of and delight in the natural world through all forms of fine art based on the world’s wildlife.
Through exhibitions and publications, the Society aims to further an awareness of the importance of conservation in order to maintain the variety of the world’s ecosystems and its wildlife. Through its bursary schemes, the Society is able to help young artists keen to develop their knowledge and skills in wildlife art, offering awards of up to £750 towards travel, education or the cost of materials.
The focus of the Society’s work is its Annual Exhibition, The Natural Eye. Included with the work of members from the UK, mainland Europe, North America and beyond, is the work of successful bursary applicants, as well as a selection of work by non-members.
Video: SWLA 60th Anniversary Exhibition
Call for Entries
Artists are invited to submit work for exhibition alongside members of the Society of Wildlife Artists at the SWLA Annual Exhibition: The Natural Eye.
Several prizes and awards are available to win.
President
Harriet Mead PSWLA has been the Society’s President for over fifteen years. Read more about her work and practice here.
Prizes & Awards
The Birdwatch and Swarovski Optik Artist of the Year Award
Winners
2024: Harriet Mead PSWLA, Calling Raven
2023: Richard Allen SWLA, Winter sun, Avocets
2022: Paul Henery
2021: Liz Myhill, Across the bay
2020: Esther Tyson SWLA
2019: Ben Woodhams SWLA, Tufted Ducks on icy water, January, Ronne
2018: Andrew Haslen SWLA, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
2017: Nick Derry SWLA, Jack Snipe
2016: Daniel Cole SWLA, Great Black-backed Gulls and Rooks, Camel Estuary
2015: Jane Smith ASWLA
2014: Dafila Scott SWLA
2013: Nik Pollard SWLA
2012: Federico Gemma
2011: Tim Wootton
2010: Matt Underwood
2009: Darren Woodhead
2008: Szabolcs Kokay
2007: John Threlfall
2006: Paul Bartlett
2005: Chris Rose
The BIRDscapes Gallery ‘Conservation through Art’ Award
Winners
2024: Wynona Legg SWLA
2023: Jonathan Pomroy
2022: Derek Robertson, After The Plough, Curlew
2021: Julia Manning SWLA
2020: Christopher Wallbank SWLA, Goldfinch and Wych Elm
2019: Robert Gillmor PPSWLA, Avocet and chicks
2018: Esther Tyson SWLA, Winter Sparrow
2017: Michael Warren SWLA
2016: Jane Smith SWLA, Under the waves
2015: N/A
2014: Carry Akroyd SWLA
2013: Bruce Pearson SWLA
RSPB Award
Winners
2024: Laura Andrew ASWLA, Bullfinches in Shade
2023: Derek Robertson, In the darkest place the Nightingale sings
2022: Richard Allen SWLA
2021: Ben Woodhams SWLA, Smew sailing through
2020: Simon Turvey SWLA, Swallows
2019: Nik Pollard SWLA, Colony 5 - Gannets, Bass Rock
2018: Kittie Jones SWLA, Feeding Curlew
2017: Dafila Scott SWLA, Bittern over the fen
2016: Robert Gillmor SWLA, Shore Larks
2015: Greg Poole SWLA, Short-eared Owl Flying Near Digger
2014: Federico Gemma SWLA, Whinchat, Giglio Island, Tuscany
2013: Nick Derry SWLA, Blue-headed Wagtails, Greenshank and Swallows
2012: N/A
2011: Alison Ingram
2010: Brin Edwards
2009: Daniel Cole
2008: Esther Tyson
2007: Carry Akroyd
2006: David Bennett
2005: Robert Greenhalf
2004: Paul Henery ASWLA
2003: Dafila Scott SWLA
The Swarovski Optik New Artist Award
Winners
2024: James Coe
2023: Jose Antonio Sencianes Ortega
Trymwood Studios Art Prize
Winners
2024: Amie Haslen
2023: Helen Kennedy
The Michael Harding Oil Painting Prize
Winners
2024: Izzy Thomson, Isle of May
2023: Peter Partington SWLA, Barn Owl under a blue moon
The Michael Harding Watercolour Painting Prize
Winners
2024: Jonathan Pomroy, Swifts at dusk
2023: Stephen Message, Great Grey Shrike
Art Safari Works on Paper Award
Winners
2024: Darren Woodhead SWLA, November storm over Islay, with Stoat footprints
2023: Christopher Wallbank SWLA, The Cleaver loomery
Mall Galleries / FBA Award
Winners
2024: Will Rose, Wild Finca
2023: Roseanne Landon, 3rd calf of the season
Dry Red Press Award
Winners
2024: John Dobbs NEAC SWLA, Robin
2023: John Hatton SWLA, Puffins on the sea
2022: Richard Tratt SWLA, Thistle Patch Visitors
2021: Brin Edwards SWLA, Great Crested Grebes with Yellow Water Lilies and Banded Demoiselles
2020: Richard Jarvis SWLA, Moorhens, Mallards & Mayflies
2019: Lisa Hooper, Caerlaverock
2018: Carry Akroyd SWLA, Windhover
2017: Richard Allen SWLA, Swifts
2016: Daniel Cole SWLA, High tide on the Fal River
2015: Matt Underwood SWLA, Spring Blackbird
2014: Max Angus SWLA, Woodcock Pilots (Goldcrest) – North Norfolk
SWLA Visitors' Choice Award
Winners
2024: Simon Griffith, Little Owls
2023: Stephen Message, Sanderlings in Spring
2019: Chris Rose SWLA, Eiders
