The Reading Guild of Artists' (RGA) 89th annual show will be taking place until March 9 at the Sir John Madejski Art Gallery, Reading Museum.

The show is open from 10am to 4pm every day, except Friday March 1, when it is closed to the public between 12noon and 2.30pm.

At the show, visitors will be able to purchase works of art by RGA members and works are in a wide variety of styles and media.

The RGA Annual Show is an opportunity to celebrate the Guild and its artists – culminating in the presentation of the prestigious Marie Dyson Award – which goes to an artist whose work is judged to be of outstanding merit by an invited and independent assessor.

Diana Seidl, judge of this year’s Marie Dyson award and renowned artist and author, said: "I am delighted to judge the Marie Dyson award this year.

"It is just over 50 years that this prize was first inaugurated.

"Being head of the Arts Faculty at Pangbourne College for 25 years gave me experience of lots of different styles of artistic expression.

"Also, working as an examiner for A level art at the Cambridge Board, broadened further my experience of creative arts.

"It is with happy anticipation that I look forward to seeing and judging this exhibition."

Elaine Blake, exhibitions and partnerships curator at Reading Museum, said: "It is a huge honour to open the annual show – both for me on a personal level and for Reading Museum.

"The artists’ level of skill and passion are evident when you look at what is being exhibited.

"I know it will be a very hard decision to decide on who is awarded The Marie Dyson Award.

"I would encourage visitors to the museum to make a bee line for the exhibition – it will be very much worth a visit."

Anthony Wilder, chairman of Reading Guild of Artists, said: "It is incredible to think the annual show is nearly 90 years old.

"The Guild has gone from strength to strength with a membership of nearly 200.

"The show is the highlight of the year – with many members showcasing their artwork and I am always impressed and humbled by the high standard of work – we have some very talented members.

"Marie Dyson was one of the Guild’s brightest spirits – an outstanding innovator, whose initiative and enthusiasm transformed the Guild. It is therefore very fitting that we have renowned artist and author Diana Seidl to present this year’s award.

"Thank you to Diana."

Further information on the Reading Guild of Artists can be found by visiting http://www.rga-artists.org.uk/ or https://www.facebook.com/ReadingGuildofArtists/.