A visit to the Royal Academy of Arts

A group of 13 Junior Research Fellows (JFRs), College Research Associates (CRAs) and Senior Members had the opportunity to see the Royal Academy of Arts in a way that few visitors do — from backstage with a knowledgeable host. Dr Anna Dempster, Wolfson CRA and the Royal Academy's Head of Academic Programmes invited the group for what one CRA described as an "amazing" visit.

Anna showed the guests the historic Life Room, which sits at the heart of the RA Schools and is normally closed to the public. They also toured a number of galleries, including the Collections Gallery, which was dedicated for the RA 250th anniversary and curated by the President of the RA, Christopher Le Brun (who recently held a show of new paintings at Wolfson College). The Collections Gallery holds just 70 works from a collection of some 50,000 works that spans 500 years. They finished up at a wine reception in the Academician Room, an exclusive private members club for artists and art lovers. 

College Secretary, Fiona Brown, said of the trip, "It was a wonderful visit the Royal Academy on Saturday. Our group thoroughly enjoyed Anna's expert guided behind-the-scenes glimpse of the RA’s historic Life Drawing Room and the fantastic new spaces, including the Collections Gallery, and it was a real treat to visit the Oceania and Klimt/Schiele exhibitions, all beautifully rounded off by fascinating conversations over a drink in the ‘bohemian ambience’ of the Academicians’ Room – a truly perfect afternoon!"

Warm thanks go to Anna for arranging such a wonderful day.