An art auction to benefit the local community will launch at Thelma Hulbert Gallery (THG) on 2 March.

The donated artworks will be on display from 10 February at THG. Top artists will feature include nationally and internationally recognized names such as Jessica Cooper, Peter Randall-Page RA, Alan Cotton and Frances Hatch. The artworks are priced to suit all budgets and the funds raised will go to Honiton’s Admiral Nurse Campaign and the THG learning programme helping those with dementia.

Heather Penwarden from Honiton’s Dementia Action Alliance said,

“We are hugely grateful to the Thelma Hulbert Gallery for all their help in this charity art auction. The share that we will receive for our Admiral Nurse Fund will be extremely valuable in taking us one step closer to bringing much need support to local families living with dementia.”

THG was one of the first galleries in the country to become dementia friendly. Their award-winning learning programme for the community benefits not only adults dealing with Dementia but also schools, families, marginalised groups working with adults and children with learning difficulties and their carers, adults with mental health issues, young people at risk of social exclusion, visually impaired and deaf young people and Pupil Referral Units.

So far this financial year the gallery, owned and managed by East Devon District Council, has managed to land major grants of £81,000 from organisations including the Arts Council England and the Heritage Lottery Fund to fund these East Devon projects.

 Angela Blackwell, THG Curator, commented,

“We are honoured to help the Honiton Admiral Nurse campaign. We are so proud of our community outreach programme of workshops and art activities. It goes far beyond the gallery in Honiton with projects running from Axminster to Exmouth helping towns as well as rurally-isolated communities.

Our projects benefit schools, families, community groups, Memory Cafés, groups with disabilities and Pupil Referral Units amongst many others across the whole of East Devon.”

Art Auction: Friday 2 March, 7pm in aid of Honiton’s Admiral Nurse Campaign and THG Learning Programme supporting those living with dementia.

Exhibition of donated artworks (10 February – 2 March). Open Tuesday – Saturday, 10am-5pm.