The Royal Academy of Arts' famous Summer Exhibition is the largest open contemporary art exhibition in the world With the regular sprinkling of established Royal Academicians (RAs) and guests together with public artworks, the event is sure to maintain its mantle as a haven of visual pleasure. As in previous years, the gallery has five themed rooms: invited artists, RAs and Honorary RAs, a featured artist, a print room and open submissions. The Summer Exhibition was first set up in 1769 as the royally-appointed showcase of new British art. Its establishment transformed British artistic patronage - for the first time there was a public forum and meeting place for artist and patron. The event provided an open market for the arts and a vital boost for the artists. Traditionally, anyone may submit their work - and anyone does. The Academy's walls are lined, floor to ceiling, with paintings and sculptures: some good, occasionally very good, and a fair number pretty dreadful. The standard of work has been lamented through the centuries by Joshua Reynolds, John Ruskin and, more recently, Brian Sewell. Nevertheless, it must be remembered that all taste is personal and every year there are a few works which receive general acclaim.