Standards were such that students from the Fine Art Department of the University were not accepted as members until they had graduated. The early exhibitions were reported in the national press but over the years the Guild membership became more the home of semi-professional and amateur artists, with a few professionals setting the standard. Exhibitions are now reported in the local press, on local radio and regional television. Whilst the works produced by most members are traditional, over the years changes in artistic expression have proved acceptable and the annual Marie Dyson award for a work of special merit has been bestowed on an abstract work. The Guild membership is at present about 260, divided into the categories of Affiliate, Associate and Full members.
Entrance is by application to the address below.
A fast track procedure exists for better known professional artists. In recent years separate exhibitions for Associate and Full members have been held, in addition to the Annual exhibition. Workshops and demonstrations are held bi-weekly with Painting days out in summer. The Guild is a registered charity, number 296307. Reading Guild of Artists 29 Balmore Drive Caversham Reading RG4 8PX England.