WATCH: "We're extremely grateful and absolutely thrilled"

Friday 21 August 2020

An auction of sculptures, prints and paintings donated by artists with a local connection has raised over £6,000 to be split between a charity providing a "safe place" to female abuse victims and the island's covid response.

The Bailiff's Fund and the Jersey Women's Refuge were yesterday presented with cheques for £3,112.50 each from 'Spring into Action', which took place at Private and Public Gallery in June.

The exhibition united works from internationally acclaimed artists such as Emily Allchurch and Jason Martin, who joined ranks with well-known resident artists such as Ian Rolls, Gina Socrates, Mark Guest, John Paul Kilshaw and Nick Romeril, who painted a very appropriate portrait of a toilet roll.

Video: The donation recipients speak about the impact they will have.

The exhibition also had a distinctly international flavour with Danish photographer Martin Toft, Latvian painter Eliza Anna Reine and Russian printmaker Yulia Makeava all donating artworks to help the two chosen local causes.

The Bailiff's Fund was launched in April to gather philanthropic donations from private individuals wishing to support the hospital and wider community in its management of the covid-19 crisis and its aftermath.

It has already made grants for a mental health project supporting frontline workers and equipment that will assist with patient care.

Pictured: More than 20 artists with a connection to Jersey donated work to the auction.

Meanwhile, the Women’s Refuge, which provides a safe space for victims of domestic abuse and provides support to women and their children, has seen its activity increase under lockdown.

At the end of May, Ben Robins, the charity’s Chairman, reported that the pressures of life in a lockdown environment had caused “a significant up-tick in calls to our helpline”. 

But the demand increased so much that the charity had to open a second home.

Cheques were presented to both causes this week, with the founder of the Women's Refuge, Rozelle Sutherland, saying that the charity was "extremely grateful and absolutely thrilled".

Pictured: Part of the Bailiff's Fund is being used for a project to support frontline workers' mental health.

“The last few months have been difficult for all of us but I’m delighted that the gallery spaces have been put to good use and funds raised for excellent causes," Gallery Director Chris Clifford, who organised the fundraising initiative, said.

"I want to personally thank all the artists who participated in this exhibition and also the collectors who acquired paintings, sculpture, photography, ceramics and print works.”

Lady Dalton, a patron of the exhibition, added: “‘I am delighted that the Private and Public ‘Spring into Action’ Exhibition proved to be so popular and that the very generous donation of the wonderful and varied artwork by local Jersey artists has raised much needed funds to support both the Bailiff’s COVID-19 Appeal and The Jersey Women’s Refuge.

"Under Chris Clifford’s stewardship, this exhibition has been a wonderful example of how well Jersey people come together to support our community when it is under threat. I am very grateful to all those who have contributed their artwork and those who have bought such wonderful examples of Jersey’s best."

Pictured top: Gallery Director Chris Clifford and Lady Dalton, the patron of the exhibition, handing out the cheques to the Bailiff, Timothy Le Cocq, and the founder of the Women's Refuge, Rozelle Sutherland.