Congratulations to QSS artists Joy Gerrard (left) and Angela Hackett (right) who were recently elected as Associate members of the Royal Hibernian Academy and Royal Ulster Academy respectively. In both cases artists are elected at the organisation’s AGM following nominations put forward by members of the Academic body.

The Royal Hibernian Academy originated when artists from the Society of Artists in Ireland petitioned the then Viceroy, Earl Talbot, in the late 1700s for the opportunity to exhibit their works annually. A Royal Charter was finally granted in 1821, and the deeds received in 1823, giving the Academy independence from all other institutions. Celebrated landscape painter William Ashford served as the first President. Artist, Abigail O’Brien is currently the 24th President of the RHA, which is made up of 30 Members, 15 Senior Members and 10 Associate Members, all of whom are professional artists.

The Royal Ulster Academy was originally founded as The Belfast Rambler’s Sketching Club in 1879, became the Ulster Academy of Arts in 1930, and finally the Royal Ulster Academy in 1950. The current President is artist Betty Brown. There are four categories of membership – Academician (RUA), Senior Academician (SRUA), Associate Academician (ARUA) and Honorary Member (HRUA).