Home-Start art auction and exhibition is where the art is

Home-Start in Suffolk launch online art auction to raise vital funds to support struggling Suffolk families

Following the success of last years event in June 2020 and back by popular demand, the fundraising team behind the auction will launch the 2021 online auction on 30^th August 2021.

“This year’s auction exhibition is set to be even bigger and better than last year!”  Explains Ali Watson, Fundraising and Marketing Manager at Home-Start in Suffolk. “We were so delighted with the success in 2020, and as a result of that success we have been contacted by several local artists asking if we are planning to host the event again this year.

“We will be unveiling the eclectic and exciting collection of 100 pieces of art and collectibles from artists across Suffolk including Theronda Hoffman, Simon Trinder, Allan Williams, Marcus Ford, Ian Armour-Chelu and local sculptor Spadge Hopkins.  We have a beautiful photograph of the Scallop sculpture in Aldeburgh taken by artist Chris Newson which is hand signed by Maggi Hambling, and Maggi Hambling herself has also donated 3 signed books to the auction including a copy of the rare and much sort after “The Works”.

The online auction has been set up to be more streamlined for this event and each item has been allocated a starting bid and a reserve.  The reserve is set at a price that the artist has agreed to sell the item for as a minimum and once an item reaches its reserve it will sell to the highest bidder at the close of the auction or can be purchased through the “Buy it Now” function, a new and much requested additional feature for this year’s event.

“Last year we saw a huge influx of bids at the last minute.” Ali continues, “And we had a number of people narrowly missing out at that final moment and so we decided to offer the buy it now price as an option.  These buy it now prices have been set to reflect the expected high value of the piece and therefore if an item is in the auction and reaches the buy it now price, bidding will automatically close on that item.”

The Home-Start in Suffolk team have created an online gallery with the help of Theronda Hoffman who kindly allowed them to store and photograph some of the artwork in her studio with the help of professional photographer Cherry Beesley of Simply C Commercial photography.

Bidders can view each piece individually and place bids by registering online and from there each bidder will be notified automatically if they are the highest bidder or have been outbid.

The auction will not only be hosted online but a live weeklong exhibition will also be on display in the Baptist Church on Aldeburgh High Street for visitors to view, enjoy and place bids. With such an array of art, there is something for everyone and there are items to suits all budgets – not just in the auction but in the added element of the exhibition!

Some notable pieces include the “White fronted geese over the upper Alde” by Simon Trinder, stunning ‘Sunset Moments” by Theronda Hoffman, ‘Ed Sheeran in the style of Van Goh” by Allan Williams, 5 original Ian Amour Chelu watercolours, an original Marcus Ford painting of the Lookout at Sizewell, and of course the signed books by Maggi Hambling including The Works, The Sea and the Scallop!

Not only that – but there will be a wonderful collection of greetings cards, gifts, prints and other items from local artists for visitors to purchase throughout the week and a beautiful courtyard garden display of products available for purchase from Suffolk Plant Centre.

Home-Start in Suffolk has been supporting Suffolk families for over 22 years & is instrumental in early intervention to prevent families reaching crisis point.  Helping families as they navigate through challenges such as bereavement, long term illness, domestic abuse, isolation, poor mental health, disabilities & so much more, Home-Start in Suffolk work alongside the statutory services & are highly respected amongst their partners & peers.

You can visit the exhibition from 30 August 2021 until 4^th September 2021 and the auction will remain live until 30 September 2021!

For more information visit https://tinyurl.com/hsisartauction21  or call 01473 621104

To find out more about Home-Start visit the website