LONDON, ENGLAND.-The Royal Society of British Artists (RBA) will be hosting their popular annual Turning Point Debate on the evening of Thursday 25th May. The motion this year is "This House believes that it is the function of art to be challenging" and there will be guest speakers and opportunities to speak from the floor.

Speaking for the motion will be J. J. Charlesworth (Critic and Art Writer) and Claire Carolin (Exhibitions Curator for the Hayward Gallery). Opposing the motion will be Edward Lucie-Smith (Art Critic and Author) and David Lee (Editor of The Jackdaw). Josie Appleton (Assistant Editor of Spiked On-line) will be in the chair. Tickets cost £5 (£2 concessions) - please phone 020 7930 6844 for further details.

The debate takes place during the RBA¹s Annual Exhibition at the Mall Galleries (near Trafalgar Square) which runs from 18th to 28th May, showcasing artwork from the society¹s internationally acclaimed members alongside the best selected work from the open submission. The exhibition will also include a national exhibition of work by students from schools who have achieved Specialist College Status for the Visual Arts.

The Royal Society of British Artists Annual Exhibition has been the place to see and buy innovative and traditional painting, sculpture and printmaking since its inaugural exhibition in 1823. In the words of Society President Romeo Di Girolamo, "From Whistler, Sickert, L.S Lowry, Henry Moore and Carel Weight to the current outstanding membership, the RBA continues to be a forum for excellence."