More than 100 pieces of postcard-sized art adorn the walls of Lansdown Gallery this week, made by local artists, and all donated to show support for this popular exhibition space in the heart of Stroud, writes Jennifer Greenshields.
The postcards – along with other donated pieces – are part of a silent auction to raise funds for improvements to this iconic building which hosts workshops, classes, theatre, music gigs and film screenings as well as regular visual art displays.
The brain behind the auction is Gallery Curator, Jessy Plant, herself a creative artist and a staunch champion of the Gallery space: “I put a shout out to the local creatives to ask for help, with a deadline for work to be brought in. By last week we’d had a few, then a few more and I was crossing my fingers that we’d have enough to cover the walls.
“Of course, on the final day they all came pouring in and I knew when we got to 100 it was going to be great.”
As well as auctioning the work there’s going to be an opportunity for people to vote for their favourites in two categories – Established and Emerging Artists. Jessy added:“We’ve got some fantastic prizes as a thank you to the artists, supplied by our generous local sponsors, Darbyshire Framemakers, James & Owen and Pegasus Arts. Now that the work is up I can see it’s going to be really tough making a choice.”
Jessy wants people to make a bid, or vote for their favourite, and come along to the final auction on Friday, June 17 from 6pm to 9pm. All proceeds will go towards the work to provide step-free access to the upstairs Hall and improved toilet and catering facilities.
For all the details on the Affordable Art Auction and how to vote or bid go to www.lansdownhall.org or call in to the Gallery between 10am and 4pm to chat to Jessy.
