Southport Artists for The Ukraine reveals four days of fundraising to support war victims

Southport Artists for The Ukraine has revealed more details of a four-day fundraising art exhibition.

The event takes place in the Southport Market hall in Southport town centre from Thursday 7th April to Sunday 10th April.

A number of local artists are taking part, eager to sell their art to raise vital funds for people whose lives have been devastated by the war in Ukraine.

The event will also offer four days of entertainment for visitors, with music, poetry and performance adding to this very special occasion.

The organisers recently attended a planning meeting at Southport Market where the exhibition will be held.

The Southport Artists for The Ukraine display is being planned by a team made up of local people from various backgrounds including visual arts, theatre and performance and the leisure industry.

One of the event organisers, local artist Tony Wynne, outlined what the event aims to achieve.

He said: “‘We are now all aware of the growing humanitarian crisis caused by the brutal war in the Ukraine; millions of people have become refugees in a matter of weeks. Many have fled, often with very few belongings, to neighbouring countries such as Poland, Romania and Moldava. Many families have been torn apart as some return to fight for their country’s freedom.

“The exhibition and art sale is being held to raise desperately needed funds for the Disasters Emergency Committee which includes charities such the British Red Cross and Save The Children.

“But the event is not just an art exhibition as there will be other things happening over its four days. Our theatre and performance director, Suzy Walker, is busy working with poets, musicians and performers to add deeper cultural layers to the event.

“Each team member has brought their own skills and experience to the event planning. Serena Silcock-Prince, operations manager for Silcock Leisure Group, is involved in fundraising and logistical planning and Julie McDaid and myself have many years of exhibition experience through the Waterfront Arts Project.

“We’re working hard to make the event a success so we hope that the people of Southport will support us in making it a success and help us to help people, including many, many children, whose lives have been torn apart.”

The Southport Artists for The Ukraine event is being held in Southport Market’s events hall on King Street, Southport from Thursday 7th April – Sunday 10th April. There will also be a special evening planned from 6pm–9pm on the Thursday evening, details to be confirmed.