Call for artists to support Art Sale in aid of refugees

Students at Bedales are organising an Art Sale to support the Rural Refugee Network (RRN), a charity helping refugees settle successfully into UK communities.

The Art Sale, to be held at the school on 8 March, will feature work from accomplished artists, in addition to emerging student talent from Bedales Senior and Bedales Prep, Dunhurst.

Contributions are still sought, and interested artists are invited to complete a registration form here, where they will then be contacted by the event organisers. Once registered, artists are invited to submit items here. [Note links now removed as registrations and submissions have closed].

Artwork will be available at a wide range of prices from the £10s to £1000s. Half of the proceeds will support the RRN with the other half going to the artist, although in some cases, artists are donating the full sale price.

The sale will showcase approximately 50 artists, including parents and Bedales alumni, across many disciplines, including fine art, contemporary, sculpture, ceramics, illustration and photography. The exhibiting artists are a mix of national and international with a good representation locally. Many of the artists will attend the event to discuss their work and answer questions. Work is bought, wrapped and taken home on the night. 

This initiative has become the 'real world learning' project for a group of Block 5 (year 11) students taking their Bedales Assessed Course (BAC) in Global Awareness. Recognised as an alternative to GCSEs by universities, BACs are designed to be broad and stimulating, offering significant cross-curricular and independent learning opportunities across the arts and humanities subjects. Assessment includes a mixture of written assignments, presentations, projects and performances, together with examinations as appropriate, and each course is externally moderated (more information). 

Nadia Potts, CEO of the RRN says:

"The RRN is so proud to have been able to continue its support and help for refugees in Hampshire during the pandemic. It has been a hard couple of years for charities with fundraising events not being possible and it was a concern maintaining the level of support that we always provide. 

The RRN does such valuable work in supporting newly arrived Afghan families with essential needs such as clothing and household items. Our fantastic team of trained volunteers provide one-one support to the families with learning English, and supporting children with school work. The money raised will help greatly with funding for text books, online courses, wifi, tools and equipment for training and business start-ups, as well as driving lessons. RRN also has a successful and dedicated Education/Employment programme that funds will assist greatly continuing for the next year.

The Art Event has always been our major source of funding as well as a significant demonstration of solidarity with refugees. It will be our first in person attended event since early 2020 and an opportunity for all to attend, support, and fund. RRN trustees will all be at the event and can expand on all the amazing work we have done since 2015. To all the artists, all of you attending, and of course Bedales we thank you for your support."

The sale brings together local and international artistic communities in a venture which benefits artists as well as helping the largest humanitarian crisis of our time. The first RRN Art Sale in 2016 took over £30,000 in three hours and raised over £10,000 for the charity. In 2017, sales totalled over £40,000 and raised close to £14,000. It has become the largest fundraising event for the charity, enabling them to support the refugee families coming to the UK from war-torn countries including Syria and Afghanistan. 

Tickets to attend the Art Sale are free and can be booked online here.

The school is planning other fundraising and educational activities on 8 March to support the RRN, including an ambitious fundraising walk where members of the community will cover the distance from Syria to Steep in a day.

STOP PRESS: Registrations from artists for this exhibition have now closed.

Above image of sale item: Lithograph print by Diana Armfield, Old Bedalian and Royal Academician - Sheep grazing, Winter at Llwynhir

Rural Refugee Network | Art Sale registration (for artists) | Tickets to attend Art Sale | Bedales Assessed Courses