Major new Art Sale announced
Hampshire’s Rural Refugee Network (RRN) and the John Badley Foundation (JBF) Emergency Refugee Fund are delighted to announce a Call for Artists for a major new Art Sale to be held on 4 March 2024. Money raised will help RRN support refugees with, amongst other things, language lessons, employment training and accommodation. Additionally, through the JBF Emergency Refugee Fund, bursaries will be available to young refugees, enabling them to attend Bedales Senior and Prep schools.
“We are working together to offer opportunities for professional artists, gifted amateurs and local school children to produce work to raise money for refugees rebuilding their lives in Hampshire” says Andy Crowe, RRN Trustee and curator of the exhibition. “I don’t think anybody needs reminding of the dreadful events of the last few years and the huge number of displaced people that are now in need of our support. If every rural community can make a small contribution, we can together help rebuild the lives of people who have lost everything, including family and friends. We and the families we assist are enormously grateful for the kindness and help we have received from Petersfield and the surrounding areas.”
Head of Bedales Will Goldsmith commented:
“Recent events have sadly highlighted once again the suffering of many innocent young people caught up in war, persecution and disaster around the world. We are delighted to host the Art Sale with the RRN to raise awareness and funds to provide much needed local support for displaced families. The Art Sale is a wonderful opportunity to promote artistic talent to fundraise to provide help for families and a stable education for young people who have been forced out of their countries.”
There are two elements to the Art Sale. Firstly, professional artists are being invited to submit works of art; these can be in any form including oils, watercolours or sculpture. Artists will receive 50% of the sale price (or can increase the fundraising by donating their contribution); proceeds will then be split between the RRN and the JBF Emergency Refugee Fund.
For artists interested in submitting work to the sale, please register your interest here and then complete the online form with artwork submission details here. For more information, email rrnjbfartsale@gmail.com.
Image: ‘Old Bodleian Library, Oxford’ illustration by Old Bedalian Matthew Rice from his book OXFORD (2018), which Matthew has kindly donated to the Art Sale