Jemma Appleby Wins £35,000 Charles Wollaston Award at RA Summer Exhibition

At the 2026 Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, Jemma Appleby was honored with the prestigious Charles Wollaston Award, earning £35,000 for her charcoal drawing #1300615 displayed in Gallery VII. This award, established in 1978, is recognized as the highest accolade of the exhibition, presented each year to the most exceptional piece. Born in 1987 and a graduate of the City and Guilds of London Art School, Appleby expressed her astonishment at receiving this honor. Her artwork has gained international exposure and is part of the collections at the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Macaulay Library. This year, prizes exceeding £70,000 were distributed, including the £10,000 AXA Art Prize awarded to Lisa Wright and the £5,000 Sunny Dupree Award given to Annie Whiles. The exhibition is currently ongoing at the Royal Academy of Arts in London.