24 September 2007
Arts Express at Guildhall Art Gallery
Guildhall Art Gallery is exhibiting a selection of artworks by
Southwark’s over 60’s residents. Funded by a £26,800 three year
grant from The City Bridge Trust, Arts Express, a charity based in
Peckham, has given older Southwark residents the chance to visit
the countryside around London to paint landscapes, walk in the
woods and make new friends.
The aim of the Arts Express programme is to bring people
together through shared creative arts activities and to use art as
a form of expression. More than 38 paintings by 19 budding artists
are now on show at Guildhall Art Gallery in the City of London from
25 September – 7 October. The Arts Express exhibition will commence
with a special preview on Monday 24 September where the artists
will introduce their work to members of the City Bridge Trust’s
Grants Committee.
Chairman of the City Bridge Trust, Deputy William Fraser OBE,
said the Trust is thrilled to have a community based exhibition
appearing in one of London’s best known galleries.
“It is a wonderful opportunity for all those in the City and
beyond to see the marvellous and inventive work which charities
across London deliver for the benefit of their constituents and for
the wider public.”
In delivering this project Arts Express is working closely with
two partner organisations which provide services for elderly people
– the Blackfriars Settlement and the Rainbow Group – so that a wide
range of people can benefit.
Ends
Notes to editors
Guildhall Art Gallery:
The Guildhall Art Gallery is home to the City of London’s renowned
art collection. It was established in 1885 but reopened in a new
building in 1999. The gallery houses an important group of
Victorian paintings and sculpture, including famous pre-raphaelite
works; fascinating views of London and Londoners from the 16th
century to the present; John Singleton Copley’s painting The Siege
of Gibraltar, which spans two floors of the gallery; and selected
works from Sir Matthew Smith’s Studio Collection. Visitors can now
also step into the arena of the Roman London’s Amphitheatre which
was recently preserved and is located beneath the gallery. Visit
the Guildhall Art Gallery’s website.
The City Bridge Trust:
The City Bridge Trust is London’s largest independent grant-making
trust, of which the City of London Corporation is the sole trustee.
Through its grant-making and strategic initiatives the Trust works
closely with the voluntary and community sector to reduce
disadvantage in London.
www.citybridgetrust.org.uk
Arts Express:
Arts Express is a visual arts education charity based in Peckham,
South London, that is dedicated to making the thrill and joy of
creating a work of art available to everyone.
www.arts-express.org.uk
Press queries to Cubby Fox at City of London on 020 7332 3451 or
cubby.fox@cityo0flondon.gov.uk
Photographs of artists displaying their pieces at the 24
September 2007 launch will be available to the press, please
contact Cubby Fox.