Chris Garner wielded the gavel to settle the competing bids at the Art Auction fundraiser held recently at Lansdown Gallery.
More than 350 people visited the 4-day exhibition to see over 100 pieces of postcard-sized art, all donated by local artists in support of Lansdown’s building improvement plans. The silent auction showed how much these
miniature works of art were appreciated. “I’m thrilled to say that these lovely little masterpieces brought in over £1,000!” said Jessy Plant, Gallery Curator.
Bids built up during the week and the final live auction settled those where several people were interested in the same piece. Auctioneer Chris – actor and Director of Stroud Theatre Company in his day job – encouraged the bidders, talking about the artist and the work, banging the gavel when all bidding had stopped.
Visitors were also able to vote for their favourite artist and the prizewinners were grouped into two categories, Established and Emerging artists.
The winning Emerging artists – Louise Abel, Kirsty Tallon and Brendan Stokes have won an opportunity to hold a group exhibition in the Gallery from 10 to 16 January 2023.
The Established artists – 1st Barbara Leidl, 2nd Kath Williams and 3rd Disect each won individual prizes thanks to the generosity of local sponsors. Barbara’s prize was a bespoke frame from Darbyshire Framemakers worth £150, Kath received a £40 voucher from Pegasus Arts and Guy de Lotz (aka Disect) has £30 to spend in James and Owen. Barbara will have a consultation soon to choose a frame for a piece of her work, saying: “ I am so pleased to
have been able to support the wonderful Postcard Exhibition fundraiser at Lansdown Gallery, and thrilled to have won the framing prize!” Gallery Curator Jessy was pleased with the results and thanked all the artists, the sponsors for their generosity, Chris for his performance as auctioneer and of course the public who visited, voted and bought. The funds raised and the support shown by the community have all been presented as evidence of local support for the improvement plans presented as part of SDC’s bid to the Levelling Up Fund.
