A tutor at Arts University Bournemouth’s AUB Academy has reached the final stage of a prestigious national art competition, securing a spot in an upcoming London exhibition.
On the Undergound, a watercolour piece by Laura Wyatt, a Visiting Tutor who teaches the Painting – Colour and Expressionism course at AUB Academy, has been selected as a finalist in the SAA Artists of the Year Awards 2026.
The achievement follows an impressive initial round for Laura, who had four of her paintings shortlisted from nearly 1,800 entries nationwide. Her finalist artwork will now feature in the SAA’s annual exhibition in London next month.
The exhibition features 57 selected works celebrating the breadth of creativity across the SAA community, spanning watercolours, oils, acrylics, pastels, and mixed media.
The overall 2026 Artists of the Year winners will be revealed on Friday 9 October at a private viewing event.
Laura says, “I hope to share the excitement of this next step with the AUB community. After having four paintings shortlisted for the SAA Artists of the Year Awards, having On the Underground named as a Finalist and heading to London for the exhibition is a fantastic milestone.”
The SAA Artists of the Year 2026 exhibition will be hosted at the Cass Art Kingston Art Space in Kingston-upon-Thames, running 7–11 October 2026.
To explore more of Laura Wyatt’s artwork, visit her website or follow her on Instagram.
