Hundreds of miniature art masterpieces have found homes in Herefordshire and beyond following a successful online auction.
More than £12,000 has been raised for St Michael’s Hospice during this year’s Postcards from Life thanks to bidders, donations and sponsorship.
In total, 333 pieces of postcard-sized artwork were created by more than 150 generous St Michael’s supporters.
Following a preview evening at Hereford’s Bishop’s Palace, the artwork went on display at the same venue for three days, attracting 600 visitors, with the online auction lasting a fortnight before closing on Monday (13th).
A total of 2,435 bids were cast with online interest from as far away as Australia.
The top lot was Heidi Venamore’s Rubus I, depicting a blackberry stem picked from her garden.
It attracted 26 bids, selling for £300.
‘It took me about 12 hours to complete, on and off,’ she said.
Heidi is a renowned botanical artist who brings out the vibrancy of nature through her work.
She was pointed in the direction of Postcards from Life by a friend, and is glad she entered.
‘I think it’s a fabulous idea, and for a very worthwhile cause,’ she added.
‘It’s good to be part of such a community.’
There was no brief for the artists, meaning they could produce whatever they wished.
Bob Murrin, a retired vicar from Peterchurch who was an auxiliary nurse at St Michael’s Hospice in the 1990s, submitted four eye-catching pieces, including three of global political figures Donald Trump, Fidel Castro and Vladimir Putin.
The other was a mural of Simon Lockett’s Wye Dore Parishes Band – his own take on the famous Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album cover by The Beatles.
‘I think Postcards is a wonderful initiative, and it’s very important to help out the Hospice,’ he said.
Paddy Nugent, the Hospice’s Community Fundraising Manager, said Postcards wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of both artists and bidders.
‘Once again, Postcards from Life has really caught the imagination of people both near and far,’ he said.
‘Thank you to everyone who bid and helped raise the wonderful sum of £12,133 for St Michael’s Hospice. Thanks also to our sponsors; Brightwells, Craven Design and Print, and Pol Roger Champagne.
‘We were delighted to have received such a wonderful array of artwork again this year. We’d like to thank everyone who contributed and helped make Postcards the success it was.’
Postcards from Life – Facts and Figures:
* Registered buyers – 330
* Bids placed – 2,435
* Visitors to the Bishop’s Palace exhibition – more than 600
* Average price of lots – £26.86
* Highest price – £300 (Heidi Venamore’s Rubus I)
* Number of lots fetching at least £100 – 12
* Registered international buyers from Australia and France. UK buyers from as far afield as Fife, Kent and Cornwall.
