The line “the role of business is to make the world a better place” comes out of my mouth about eight times a day. But what about art? What’s its role? I’m not an artist myself, rather an avid collector and will attest to art’s power of perception. In Lancaster there’s a group of 20 artists, both professional and hobbyists, who believe art can change the world. They’ve set up an auction where all the proceeds will go to benefit the Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital (GOSH!) in London. The hospital needs to raise £50 million.
I know the Lancaster artists want to make a difference because they got in touch with me to help spread the word. I gave a speech recently to the graduating students at Lancaster University. One bright young graduate named William Hudson wrote to me – not for a job, like others – but to highlight this project that his mother, Diana, is behind. What a son!
Ok, here are the details. The auction runs from September 8 to October 6. It’s open internationally to bidding and hosted by Painters Online, who produce the Artist and Leisure Painter Magazines. They are hosting the auction for no fee and the artists have donated their art and shipping, free of cost. These are tough times for artists, for arts organizations, and for charities, but these savvy artists have collaborated to make something meaningful of the situation. The auction site is live now.
