'Spot the Artist' postcard sale raises £13000

Oct 1, 2016


The work was displayed for anonymous viewing at the St Ives School of Painting, Porthmeor Studios, for two days beforehand and the challenge was to identify the artist and get a bargain. Flyers with examples of around twenty of the exhibits were distributed locally in the weeks leading up to the sale. Doors opened at 9.00am on Sunday 18th September, and by 2.00pm only seven pieces remained. Many enthusiasts queued overnight to buy a particular painting.

Organiser and Rotarian Michael Clough reported, “We had a very enjoyable day on Sunday at the 'Spot the Artist' event. This was very well supported by members of the public, who had started to queue outside the Studio more than 24 hours before the beginning of the sale.

I am pleased to confirm that your own beautiful paintings 'Dolomite with Two Setts' and 'Dolomite with Three Setts' were sold to the 21st person in the queue who would have been waiting outside the studio since before 6.00 am to buy them. I hope that you will hear from the purchaser by way of thanks.

The proceeds from the sale will be shared between local arts charities and organisations including The St. Ives School of Painting to deliver art projects with young people in the local community, St. Ives Society of Artists who are also developing a youth project, The Penwith Society of Artists, The St. Ives Arts Club, The St Ives Archive and The September Festival plus charities and good causes supported by Rotary International, such as Shelterbox Disaster Relief and the Campaign to Eradicate Polio throughout the world.

The total raised on Sunday was more than £13,000, which is a record for the event. A very big ‘Thank You’ is due to you and to your fellow contributors for making this event so successful and good fun for all involved.”

Planning for the 2017 sale is already in progress.