Hebden Bridge Web

Flood Recovery Art Auction

Tuesday, 1 March 2016

Artist Caroline Reed from Hebden Bridge set about asking her friends and colleagues to donate their art to help raise money for the Flood Recovery Art Auction.

This Art Auction is happening on Friday, 4th March at Hebden Bridge Trades Club at 7pm and people can view the pieces throughout the day on Friday.

Caroline Reed with art auction pieces

Caroline Reed said, "I had no words for the devastation I saw on Boxing Day, I am generally bad with words anyway but I am good with images. And luckily so are a lot of my friends so I had to find something I could do to help and the auction seemed to be the logical choice.

"Although then I had no idea how huge it would become. I want to help the artists and the independent business in the local area. As that to me is what Hebden Bridge is all about."

As word spread amongst the art world, Caroline started to receive calls and artwork. This escalated with the artist receiving artwork from Canada, Paris, Sweden, Switzerland London and from all over the world.

Lesley Oldaker

"I cannot believe the response. We have received over 150 pieces for the auction. Not every piece will be able to be sold and this is why we have a Flood Recovery Art Exhibition at 'Creative with Nature' gallery in Todmordern after the live auction to sell the work that was donated."

Gallery owner Sara Abbott said, 'Creative with Nature Gallery is delighted to support the Flood Recovery Art Exhibition. Having seen the phenomenal response from artists around the world who have donated work to Caroline, we were desperate to help too, so the gallery is being donated to the cause for a week later this Spring. We'd like to invite everyone to the Exhibition Launch Party from 6.30 till 9pm on the evening of 29th April. Come along and be amongst the first to see and buy the treasures on offer. The gallery will be open 10am till 5pm each day after that with the exhibition closing at 5pm on Sat 7th May.

Elland Bridge by Kate Lycett

Local art will also be included in this art auction; the much loved Elland Bridge collapsed as a result of the floods and has caused much distress and inconvenience to the residents, having lost their much loved landmark. Artist, Kate Lycett had already started painting the bridge before the floods happened and the painting is now complete and ready for auction. "Elland Bridge and the Britannia buildings beyond it are always a landmark for us. It means 'we're nearly home," said Kate Lycett.

Among artists who have contributed are: Tracy Watt, award winning figurative artist, Sam, award winning British sculptor, Christian Hook winner of portrait artist of the year, Cadoc Artist Canada and The D Vincic Sisters, Swedish international artists plus many more.

Mal Campbell, from the Trades club said, "Caroline spent long, long hours in the kitchen of the Trades Club in the aftermath of the flood feeding hundreds of people. Now she has used her art world connections to put together this stunning event to help raise money for the businesses who were directly flooded. We were delighted to be asked to host this quite unique fundraiser."