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Stratford artists create mini art works to support Gallery Stratford through COVID-19 shutdown – The Beacon Herald

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Gallery Stratford has launched its Little ART Things online art auction to raise money during the gallery’s COVID-19 shutdown.

To raise much-needed funds following the cancellation of the gallery’s annual fundraisers and educational programming — a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic — Gallery Stratford is auctioning off 3X3 paintings and art works created by artists in the community as part of its online fundraiser, Little Art Things. Galen Simmons/The Beacon Herald/Postmedia Network

Roughly two dozen amateur and professional artists from Stratford and beyond have been busy recently creating more than 360 miniature works of art to support Gallery Stratford through its Little ART Things online art-auction fundraiser.

Following the cancellation of Gallery Stratford’s annual gala fundraiser and its educational programming — which together account for about 50 per cent of the organization’s annual revenue — when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the region, gallery director and curator Angela Brayham and the gallery’s board of trustees began looking for ways to recoup at least some of that lost funding.

“Cancelling those two things is not an easy decision to make. It’s a really tough thing because it impacts everything we do,” Brayham said. “… In planning for our gala, what we were going to do is we’d had a group of women, who are our painting drop-ins, making these little three-by-three canvases that we were going to use as part of a raffle thing at the gala.

“I had a about 100 of them and them and I was thinking, ‘They’re really lovely. What should I do with them?’”

So Brayham began photographing the little works of art she had on hand and posted them online in hopes she could raise some money by auctioning them off.


Gallery Stratford director and curator Angela Brayham organizes the 3X3 paintings that have been sold through the gallery’s Little ART Things online art auction for delivery. Galen Simmons/The Beacon Herald/Postmedia Network

“I had no idea what to call it, so I just thought, ‘Little ART Things,’” Brayham laughed.

The Little ART Things auction quickly gained traction, both among art lovers and artists in the community and beyond.

“Other people started volunteering to do them,” Brayham said. “We now have 364 of them and we have probably close to two-dozen artists who have contributed so far.”

The artists who have contributed to the online auction fundraiser range from kids who created their pieces as part of art classes at the gallery prior to the pandemic all the way to well-established artists like the Toronto-based artist, Ron Shuebrook, who exhibited at the gallery in Stratford a couple years ago.

“Artists in our community at the hobbyist level to people that are selling professionally and have taught for us have all contributed,” Brayham said. “… Because the artists are in their home and there’s only so much bread you can bake and you can only watch so much Netflix, a number of the artists have told me that it’s given them something to feel productive about.”

Each of the pieces up for auction at event.auctria.com are listed with a starting bid of $10, as well as an option to “buy it now” for $25. As a twist, the artists who created each piece won’t be revealed until after their work has been sold.

“We did that so people aren’t just buying them by the name,” Brayham said. “We want people to buy work that they like so everything is kind of equal. You don’t know if you’re buying work by an eight-year-old or if you’re buying work from somebody who sells their work for thousands of dollars. I mean you can kind of tell, but not always.”

With the gallery closed, Brayham is delivering the pieces purchased by locals herself, and charging $2.50 for delivery outside of Stratford. The gallery will contact successful bidders directly to arrange payment. Successful bidders can also call the gallery at 519-271-5271x 222 or email abrayham@gallerystratford.on.ca.

gsimmons@postmedia.com

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Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone – BBC.com

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Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone  BBC.com

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Somerset House Fire: Courtauld Gallery Reopens, Rest of Landmark Closed

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The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”

On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.

Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”

The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.

Blaze in the West Wing

The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.

About Somerset House

Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.

Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.

Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.

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Sudbury art, music festival celebrating milestone

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Sudbury’s annual art and music festival is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its long-standing impact on the local cultural scene. The festival, which has grown from a small community event to a major celebration of creativity, brings together artists, musicians, and visitors from across the region for a weekend of vibrant performances and exhibitions.

The event features a diverse range of activities, from live music performances to art installations, workshops, and interactive exhibits that highlight both emerging and established talent. This year’s milestone celebration will also honor the festival’s history by showcasing some of the artists and performers who have contributed to its success over the years.

Organizers are excited to see how the festival has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of Sudbury’s cultural landscape. “This festival is a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent we have here in Sudbury,” said one of the event’s coordinators. “It’s amazing to see how it has grown and the impact it continues to have on the arts community.”

With this year’s milestone celebration, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a full lineup of exciting events, workshops, and performances that will inspire and engage attendees of all ages.

The festival’s milestone is not just a reflection of its past success but a celebration of the continued vibrancy of Sudbury’s arts scene.

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