New Exhibition Celebrating 200 Years of Prestigious Royal Scottish Academy Puts Fife in the Frame

New exhibition celebrating 200 years of prestigious Royal Scottish Academy puts Fife in the frame

Artists who were born, live or have a connection with Fife form a key part of an exciting new exhibition as OnFife joins in celebrations marking the 200th anniversary of the Royal Scottish Academy (RSA).

The RSA is Scotland’s oldest artist-led institution and cares for a nationally recognised collection, running a year-round programme of exhibitions and events from the Mound, Princes Street, Edinburgh.

Opening at St Andrews Museum on Saturday 28 March, Living Colour: Celebrating 200 Years of the RSA is part of a nationwide series of events called RSA 200: Celebrating Together recognising the important milestone in the prestigious art institution’s history.

Living Colour covers the full 200-year lifespan of the RSA, from the beginning of the 19th century through to the work of artists who are still living and creating artwork today and features more than 30 works by Academicians (members of the RSA).

Paintings by Caroline Walker, Elizabeth Blackadder, John Houston, Kate Downie, William McTaggart, SJ Peploe and Anne Redpath are just some of the works included, and many different genres and styles of art are covered.

From vibrant landscapes and elegant still-lives to thought-provoking abstracts and fascinating portraits, there’s something to cater for all tastes.

Scenes from Fife will also feature, including two from William Gillies – one of Dunfermline and the other St Monans – and Kate Downie’s large scale City Beneath the Bridge featuring the Forth Rail Bridge.

Four sketchbooks belonging to Elizabeth Blackadder, John Houston, Anne Redpath and James Cumming, all former members of the ‘Edinburgh School’ artists who either attended or taught at Edinburgh College of Art, have been lent to OnFife by the RSA especially for the exhibition.

“We have a very strong collection of works by Fife artists and there will be nine artists featured in the St Andrews exhibition, with more to be added when it transfers to Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries later this year,” explained Lesley-Anne Lettice, Exhibitions Curator with OnFife.

“This is a Scotland-wide event with almost 100 partners taking part and we are very excited to be part of it.

“A number of these exhibitions feature loans of artworks from the RSA but we feel that our collection is strong enough to stand on its own.

“However, the loan of the four sketchbooks from the RSA are a great addition and will help enhance our exhibition as they provide a wonderful insight into the artists’ process.

“We are also delighted that the exhibition will include a painting loaned to us by Caroline Walker, a native of Dunfermline and one of the newest Academicians, elected in 2024.

“We hope lots of people will take this fantastic opportunity to come along and see more than 30 wonderful works by members of the RSA all under the one roof.”

Many other Fife mueums and galleries are taking part in the RSA 200 years celebration and details of these can be found on the RSA website.

Living Colour: Celebrating 200 Years of the RSA is at St Andrews Museum from 28 March – 5 September and at Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries from 3 October.

Image:

OnFife curator Lesley-Anne Lettice beside one of the stunning works in the exhibition - Flowers in a Blue Vase by John Houston (Image credit OnFife © Royal Scottish Academy/ Bridgeman Images 2025). Houston was from Buckhaven and was the husband of artist Elizabeth Blackadder.

Please not: Images of other works in the exhibition are available.