LONDON, ENGLAND.- Eating out by bus, Tube and river reveals the winners of the second annual Society of Artists Agents awards and will whet the appetite of all art lovers. The winner will be announced at the Museum by famous illustrator and children’s author Quentin Blake OBE during an awards ceremony on Tuesday 27 January 2004. The winner receives the unique opportunity of seeing their work exhibited on Underground platforms throughout the capital, arguably the largest and most unusual art gallery in the world. They will also receive a cash prize of £3000 and a day with Quentin Blake at his London studio.

The SAA Illustration awards were launched in 2003 and are the principal showcase for the industry. The winner will join the prestigious group of artists who have had their work displayed within London’s transport network. Since the beginning of the twentieth century, London Transport and its predecessors have commissioned major and unsung artists from Britain, Europe and the USA, including Man Ray, Dame Laura Knight, Edward McKnight Kauffer and Tom Eckersley. Transport for London (London Transport’s successor) is proud to continue this illustrative art tradition.

Quentin Blake OBE is one of the most famous illustrators in Britain today. He is perhaps best well known for his illustration of Roald Dahl books but he has worked with many other authors. He was head of the Illustration Department at the Royal College of Art from 1978 until 1986 and was made an OBE in 1988. Quentin said of the SAA awards: “All of the work chosen for the exhibition is of an impressively high standard, the brief has obviously captured the imagination of the artists. The winner will be overjoyed to see their illustration on the Underground system, a truly fantastic opportunity for their work to be appreciated by hundreds of people on a daily basis. The exhibition is a perfect chance to admire excellent work and a feast of illustrative styles.”

Quentin will also be giving the demonstrative talk “He draws a lot, but he won’t speak!” at the Museum on Wednesday 4 February. Booking essential, contact the Museum’s Resource Desk for details.

The competition’s special student category is intended to encourage up and coming illustrators to show their talent alongside professionals. The winner of the student category of the competition wins £1000 and a day with Christopher Corr, leading contemporary illustrator and painter.

Visitors to the exhibition can also see a selection of original prints from the Museum’s stunning poster collection on display in the Museum foyer and explore the legacy of London Transport’s poster illustration via the poster collection database in the Museum’s Learning Centre.

Boulevard Brasserie are generously offering one lucky couple the chance to win a romantic, specially prepared four course St Valentine dinner, plus a bottle of champagne at their restaurant in Covent Garden. Simply log on to the Museum’s website at www.ltmuseum.co.uk between until 6 February 2004 for full details of how to enter the competition.