‘Historically, artists would visit the galleries to add final touches to their work in situ. Today, Varnishing Day remains a part of the Summer tradition, but it’s now mostly a day to celebrate the artists in the show – if a slightly weird one. Before visiting the show, the artists gather in the courtyard, form a procession down Piccadilly led by a steel band, then attend an artists’ blessing at St. James’s church.’
250th Royal Academy of Art Summer Exhibition 2018
12th June - 19th August 2018
www.royalacademy.org.uk
