Art Sale in Aid of Hospital Based Charity

Date:        Sunday, May 22, 2005
Time:       Noon to 4pm
Venue:     Wildwood Gallery, 40 Churchgate Street, Bury St Edmunds
Photo:       Paintings in Hospitals East with the contemporary art on sale

A West Suffolk Hospital-based charity is holding its first annual sale of works of art by contemporary artists from May 23rd.

Paintings in Hospitals East, which is based at West Suffolk Hospital, is the Eastern branch of a national charity that provides works of art on loan to hospitals, hospices and other healthcare facilities to enhance the healing environment for the benefit of patients, staff and visitors.

The charity relies on grants, donations and fundraising to continue the service.

The sale at Wildwood Gallery in Churchgate Street, Bury St Edmunds, will include works by Royal Academicians. The Royal Academicians or RAs are among the greatest names in contemporary British art. The RAs govern the Royal Academy of art and are responsible for its direction.

Among the RA's, whose work will be on sale, are: Craigie Aitchison, John Bellany, Peter Blake, Mary Fedden, Anthony Green, Chris Orr, and Patrick Proctor, as well as other artists beginning to make their mark.

Gordon Cummings, Chairman of Paintings in Hospitals East, said: "This is a unique opportunity to see the work of leading contemporary artists in one place and to help a local charity. It is an eclectic show of both framed and unframed work.

"The sale is the first in an annual series of fund-raising events that will help Paintings in Hospitals East to raise money to acquire new works of art which we loan to hospitals and hospices across East Anglia.

"Paintings In Hospitals' aim is to provide original works of art in an effective and low cost way that will enhance the healthcare environment for patients, staff and visitors. We are extremely grateful to West Suffolk Hospital NHS Trust at which we are based, for its unstinting support for Paintings in Hospitals East."

Members of the public will also have the opportunity to view and to purchase Paintings In Hospitals' 45th anniversary print portfolio of eight original artists' prints by eight Royal Academicians.

The sale starts on Monday May 23 from 10am to 5pm and continues until Saturday, May 28.

May 16 2005