Joyce W. Cairns: A Personal Odyssey | 1 August - 2 September 2026
A Personal Odyssey will explore the career of acclaimed painter Joyce W. Cairns. As the first woman to be elected President of the RSA and an influential educator to generations of Scottish artists, Cairns has long been an important voice in Scottish art. We’re showcasing major bodies of work from across Cairns’ career, with the haunting characters of her Aberdeen harbour scenes on view alongside monumental paintings from her seminal War Tourist project. Early works from the artist’s days as a student at Gray’s School of Art will be on view alongside her distinctive figurative painting, pulling from memories of her childhood and her home in the once fishing village of Footdee.
To supprt this important exhibition we are seeking donations from our Patrons and are offering a range of exclusive awards.
Donation Packages
£500 – To the Lighthouse print by Joyce Cairns PPRSA
Commissioned especially for this campaign, this limited-edition etching was created by drawing with a lithographic crayon directly onto the steel plate and has been printed on somerset satin paper. Some of the edition will be available for sale during her exhibition for a retail price of £600, and we are excited to first offer these to our Patrons for a donation of only £500.
Limited to 1 per Patrons subscription
To the Lighthouse
Joyce Cairns PPRSA
Etching
Image size: 23 x 23 cm
Paper Size 39.5 x 37 cm
Edition of 30
Unframed
£1,000 – Private Studio tour plus lunch with Joyce
On Saturday 27th of June, Joyce will give you a private tour of her studio in Dundee overlooking the river Tay followed by lunch at one of her favourite local restaurants. You will get the chance to explore Joyce’s work and inspirations as well as her wonderful collection of artworks that she has accumulated over the years from her network of artist friends and collaborators.
This donation will provide you with two places for the tour and lunch and you will also receive the To the Lighthouse print.
£10,000 – Exhibition Sponsorship
We are looking for one sponsor for the exhibition. In return for your sponsorship you will receive the print, be invited on the studio tour, plus receive recognition as the Sponsor for the exhibition and an invitation for two to the dinner following the opening with Joyce and other invited artists.
If you are interested a full list of sponsorship benefits are available by contacting Nick.
