ART supporters in Warwickshire have risen from the ashes after an arts funding body dropped its external fund-raising network.
Art Friends Phoenix was created by former local volunteers for national charity, Art Fund, to continue fund-raisers to donate to a wider range of art institutions.
Spokeswoman Dianne Page said: “Why stop something that works well? We provide stimulating talks by top art historians, visit exhibitions, galleries and houses which our members could not easily access, but equally importantly we offer a valuable focus for friendship among like-minded people. At the same time, we raise money for art.
“Most out-of-London art galleries and museums are run by local authorities who have no money for acquisitions and even the cost of curators is under threat. We have raised around £40,000 during the last five years and now can allocate the funds raised to art institutions of our choice.”
The group’s first event will be a talk by art historian Dr Victoria Avery on her new exhibition Feast and Fast – the art of food in Europe between 1500 and 1800, taking place in Cambridge.
Dr Avery added: “I am honoured to be invited to speak at Art Friends Warwickshire’s first event and I am delighted that this enthusiastic group has decided to continue such important fund-raising at grass roots. Appreciation of art is one thing, but the recognition of the need to provide financial support for its acquisition, conservation, display, and interpretation, is vital to make it as accessible as possible to the broadest possible audiences. I applaud their dedication and am delighted that the Art Fund has encouraged the formation of such groups from its former network.”
The talk will be held at 10.30am, at St Michael’s church hall in Budbrooke on Friday January 24.
Email [email protected] for details on membership.
