As part of the St Michael’s Hospice Twenty Fifth Anniversary Celebrations, a group of seventeen local Artists joined forces last week to produce ‘An Exhibition of Original Works including Painting, Drawing, Pottery, Sculpture and Bronzes’ to help raise funds. The exhibition was held in the beautiful old barn and courtyard at Strickstenning Hall, Much Birch, Herefordshire, courtesy of Mr & Mrs Peter Kett.
Almost £3,000 was raised for St Michael’s Hospice by the event, which included significant percentages given by exhibitors from their sales. The whole event was a resounding success.
The exhibition opened on Thursday, 18th June 2009, with a special Preview Evening from 6pm to 9.30pm with wine and canapés. Thereafter the exhibition was open through until the evening of Sunday, 21st June 2009.
Artists exhibiting were Lizzie Harper, Nick Helme, Penny Chantler, Doug Eaton, Tim Shawcross, Viv Luxton, Maggi Denaro, John Rodger, Fiona Flint, Neffy Hensher, Katrina Stephens, Margie James, Dido Windham, Pauline Churchill, Veronica Guest, Susie Arbuthnott and Gabriella Hanson Smith.
From the first day it opened, twenty five years ago, St Michael’s made a commitment to provide quality care for patients who have progressive, life limiting conditions and to offer support to their carers and families during the patient’s illness and in their bereavement. This commitment still stands, despite the ever increasing costs of providing such a service.
It will cost £3.6 million to provide St Michael’s services in 2009-2010, with only 10% of this being centrally funded. The rest is raised through the generosity of supporters and support of events such as ‘Art in the Barn’ has helped to ensure that the Hospice is there for those that need it over the next twenty five years.
