Hampstead Art Society Summer Exhibition 2026

The Hampstead Art Society Summer Exhibition 2026 brought together a diverse selection of contemporary artists at Gallery 8 in St James’s, London, from 5th -11th July. With an open call welcoming artists from the UK and internationally, the exhibition provided a platform for a broad range of approaches to contemporary painting and drawing.

Run by artists, for artists, Hampstead Art Society aims to create meaningful exhibition opportunities while recognising artistic excellence. Works for the 2026 exhibition were selected by an expert judging panel, bringing together a final group exhibition alongside a programme of prizes recognising individual achievements.

Now established as an annual exhibition, the Hampstead Art Society Summer Exhibition offers artists the opportunity to present their work within a professional London gallery setting. The open-call format allows artists at different stages of their careers to exhibit alongside one another, creating a varied view of contemporary practice.

This year’s exhibition continued the Society’s focus on figurative and representational art, bringing together artists working across different subjects, materials and approaches. The result was a collection that reflected the breadth of contemporary painting and drawing, from closely observed works to more experimental compositions.

For Daler-Rowney, supporting exhibitions such as this provides an opportunity to recognise artists whose work demonstrates a strong relationship between observation, technique and individual expression.

Among the prizes awarded during the exhibition was the Daler-Rowney Prize, presented this year to Olly Williamson for his painting Waiters.

Williamson’s work stood out for its considered composition and observational approach. His practice focuses on quiet situations from everyday life, using intense observation and experimental structures of composition to explore the rhythms of people and the world around him. His paintings and drawings often transform seemingly ordinary moments into something more significant.

Waiters, an oil painting on canvas measuring 42 × 26 cm, reflects this interest in observing everyday situations and finding a sense of visual significance within them. Williamson’s approach combines a strong grounding in observational drawing with an individual approach to composition, creating work that feels both immediate and carefully considered. The work was also featured by Hampstead Art Society in its announcement of this year’s Daler-Rowney Prize.

“It is a real pleasure to receive the Daler-Rowney Prize for my painting Waiters. My work often starts with specific, personal and ordinary situations — I’m interested in finding something universal within them. It’s particularly rewarding to have the painting recognised in this way, especially while being hung alongside so many incredible works by talented artists.

Thinking back to my early days of using System3 acrylics while learning the basics of painting, it’s a good feeling to now be supported by such a historic manufacturer. I’m looking forward to putting my prize winnings to good use in my studio.” – Olly Williamson

Born in 1994, Olly Williamson grew up in a village outside Preston before studying Fine Art at Manchester School of Art. He subsequently completed The Drawing Year at the Royal Drawing School in 2023, where he developed his observational approach to drawing and painting. He is now based in London, working across studio painting, drawing and large-scale murals.

Williamson’s work is rooted in the observation of everyday life. Rather than focusing solely on traditionally significant subjects, he is interested in quieter situations and the relationships between people, spaces and objects. His compositions use unusual structures and perspectives to give these moments a greater sense of presence.

His practice has also been recognised through several exhibitions, prizes and residencies, including the Aon Community Art Prize, the Paragon Print Prize and the ACS Drawing Prize, alongside residencies with Hauser & Wirth and the National Trust’s Hafod Estate.

The Hampstead Art Society Summer Exhibition demonstrates the importance of opportunities that allow artists to show their work, connect with audiences and receive recognition for their practice.

Through the Daler-Rowney Prize, we are pleased to support artists whose work demonstrates commitment to their craft and a distinctive approach to making. Williamson’s Waiters exemplifies the thoughtful observation and technical consideration that made it a compelling choice for this year’s award.

Congratulations to Olly Williamson on receiving the 2026 Daler-Rowney Prize, and to all the artists selected for the Hampstead Art Society Summer Exhibition.

Find out more about the Hampstead Art Society at https://www.hampsteadartsociety.uk/.

For more information about Olly Williamson and his work, visit https://www.instagram.com/omw_painting.