DUBLIN.-The Royal Hibernian Academy has a strong tradition of drawing that continues to be maintained by all of its' Members - be they architects, printmakers, painters or sculptors. Drawing is a common language that unites the various disciplines represented in the Academy, while at the same time conveying the diversity of styles and approaches of this creative grouping. The Academy has always believed that observational drawing in a class setting is an essential part of an artists' ability to see and, to this end, has held a series of very successful drawing classes in the RHA purpose-built studios. Plans to re-establish the RHA schools have now been carried forward towards completion within the next year.

The RHA Drawing Exhibition will be the second in a series that commenced in 2005. This time, as part of an outreach programme during the rebuild of the gallery, the exhibition will tour a number of venues, starting in Glór, in Ennis. The show will then tour to the OPW Atrium Space, 51 St. Stephen's Green from 14 February - 29 February, 2008 and The Old Mill Market House Arts Centre, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford t: (058) 48944 from 15 April - 17 May 2008.

Organised by Mick O'Dea RHA, for this show all Members of the Academy were invited to submit a monochrome drawing either A1 or A2 in size on a paper of their choice. The work of 34 Academicians will be shown including drawings by Basil Blackshaw HRHA, Gary Coyle ARHA, Stephen McKenna PRHA, Michael Warren RHA, Liam Belton RHA, Pauline Bewick RHA, Barrie Cooke HRHA, Richard Gorman RHA and William Crozier HRHA.The drawings have all been framed identically (floated in a simple ash box frame). Prices range from 500 euro to 8,200 euro and represent a unique opportunity to purchase works by established artists who rarely exhibit in this format. An A4 catalogue will accompany the exhibition, with an introduction by Mick O'Dea RHA.