OCA Creative Arts: Tutor News – Rachel Smith

Congratulations to our Creative Arts tutor Rachel Smith for being one of five nominated artists in the UK, to be considered for the Women to Watch exhibition series, which will be held at the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington DC in 2027. The exhibition will focus on book arts within contemporary art practice.

Curator Welmoet Wartena is working with UK Friends of NMWA, and has nominated five artists to form the UK shortlist. UK Friends of NMWA is pleased to present their shortlist in an exhibition at Christie’s London (8 King Street) from 10-12 February 2026. 

One shortlisted UK artist will be selected for the exhibition in Washington in 2027.

The UK shortlisted artists are:

• Rachel Smith 
• Batool Showghi
• Francisca Prieto
• Larissa Nowicki
• Tamsin Green

Women to Watch 2027: A Book Arts Revolution

Women to Watch 2027: A Book Arts Revolution, will be on view from April to August 2027 at the NMWA in Washington DC. It will be a dynamic exploration of contemporary artists’ books: works of art in book form. Artists’ books can appear in a wide variety of formats and materials, encompassing innovative uses of paper and print, sculptural works, and much more. This exhibition encourages audiences to rethink the nature of book arts by challenging assumptions about the medium and featuring works that combine approaches and techniques.

Presented every two to three years, the Women to Watch series is developed through a unique collaboration between NMWA and its widespread outreach committees. Located across the U.S. and around the globe, including the UK.

For more information about the artists and the exhibitions:

• UK Friends of NMWA 
• NMWA