Art lovers and bargain hunters came together for the first George Abbot Wild Card Auction, held to raise funds for the school’s ‘Renaissance Project’ which aims to raise £250,000 to upgrade the Arts facilities at George Abbot School and support the next generation of artists and makers.
Forty-two lots of original, postcard-sized artworks were on offer in a wide variety of media and styles, from abstract and conceptual to delicate botanical work. While some artists professed to paint for pleasure, others sell larger works for many thousands of pounds and are represented in collections in the UK and abroad. All had generously donated their work to help the school.
Tony Jamieson of local auctioneers Clarke Gammon Wellers lent a professional note to proceedings, encouraging those present to bid with enthusiasm and support the school. While some works reached as much as £150, others sold for far less, ensuring everyone could come home with a bargain. By the evening’s end an impressive £2000 had been raised, every penny of which will go towards transforming the school’s Arts facilities.
Huge thanks to Jane Friend and Pete Regan, who organised the event, the artists who kindly donated their work and to the school’s musicians – The Black Notes – whose accompaniment set the tone for a memorable evening.