Southport BID backs Southport Artists for The Ukraine art exhibition and art sale

Southport BID has revealed its backing to a special fundraising event designed to help victims of the war in Ukraine.

The BID has provided financial backing to support the special art exhibition and art sale which is being staged by Southport Artists for The Ukraine at Southport Market this April.

The event, in association with Silcock Leisure Group, will be held from Thursday, 7th April 2022 to Sunday, 10th April 2022.

The Southport Artists for The Ukraine exhibition is a co-operation of visual artists and photographers who have got together to donate artworks to raise funds for aid and support for Ukrainian refugees.

People will be able to buy works of art from artists across the region, with proceeds going towards the Ukrainian families who have been so suddenly and so tragically displaced by war.

Southport BID CEO Rachel Fitzgerald said: “The business community in Southport stands with the people of Ukraine.

“Southport BID and our levy payers are delighted to support this four-day event being organised by Southport Artists for The Ukraine this April.

“We would encourage other people to support this unique art exhibition and art sale too.

“There are lots of ways in which local people or local businesses can help, through visiting the exhibition, buying artworks, buying raffle tickets, providing raffle prizes, donating funds, or helping to promote what is happening and letting everybody know.

“The people of Ukraine need our support.”

Southport Artists for The Ukraine organiser Tony Wynne said: “This is going to be an extraordinary exhibition because it is going to be so varied. You will be able to come and see really edgy street art from Liverpool, which may be on display next to watercolours of Hesketh Park in Southport.”

The event is being held in the Southport Market events hall.

We have all seen the humanitarian disaster unfolding in Ukraine as a result of a brutal war.

Millions of civilians have been displaced by the conflict, fleeing to neighbouring countries such as Poland, Moldova, Slovakia and Hungary.

Many of those fleeing are families with children, having to leave all they possess behind as well as fathers, brothers and grandfathers who have remained to defend their country.

Tony Wynne said: “Southport is rich in artistic and creative talent, more so than many towns of its size.

“Many of our town’s creative people know each other which has made the artistic unity in support of this cause possible.

“We know that every artwork sold will make some difference – be it to buy food, clothes, sleeping bags, toothpaste -.anything to help the desperate needs of these people.”

Silcock Leisure Group Operations Manager Serena Silcock-Prince said: “The Ukraine crisis is a cause that is on everyone’s lips, and is in everyone’s hearts.

“There is no escaping what is going on over there.

“The Southport Artists for The Ukraine exhibition is such a wonderful idea. It is nice to be able to get such a broad spectrum of art for people to come and enjoy.

“It is a really exciting event and I hope it will be very well supported.”

All funds raised by the sales of artworks from this exhibition will be donated to the Disasters Emergency Committee which includes the British Red Cross and Save The Children.

For more details, or to get involved, please email: safty2022@gmail.com and please join the Southport Artists For The Ukraine page on Facebook.