Battersea Contemporary Art Fair Bids to Support Local Charities

With charity auction at Battersea Arts Centre, 17 November, 2006

October 27, 2006 - Press Dispensary - Battersea Contemporary Art Fair (BCAF - http://www.bcaf.info), one of the largest, most popular independent art exhibitions in the UK, adds a charity auction to the programme of attractions for its autumn 2006 fixture at Battersea Arts Centre, London, on 17 – 19 November.

The auction headlines an event that will appeal to anyone with an eye for art, print, photography or sculpture. The twice-yearly fair showcases the work of 150 established and up-and-coming artists .Whether the perfect piece for a living space or a canny investment, work is priced from £40 to £4,000 GBP, so there is something for every art lover’s budget.

This autumn it’s not only the BCAF artists who’ll benefit from exhibiting to over 3,500 visitors and selling their work without a gallery or agent taking a cut. Keen to contribute to the Battersea community that has supported its growth, BCAF is staging an auction of work donated by participating artists, in addition to gifts donated by celebrities such as Rolf Harris and Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen. The money raised will be donated to Battersea Dogs’ Home and The Royal Hospital for Neurodisability.

Maria Newton, owner and operator of BCAF, says: “Our event is very special: some of the best contemporary artists come here to meet the people who love and admire their work. Combining the auction with our traditional Friday evening reception, serving wine and beer, will add up to a convivial atmosphere for fun and fundraising.”

Maria adds: “BCAF attracts exhibitors and visitors from around the world and I think it’s important to inject some of this success back into the local community.”

The auction will take place Friday 17 November at 7:30pm and will be hosted by Phil Blackburn (FRCS), neurosurgeon of the Royal London and St. Bartholomew's Hospital. Phil is looking forward to this opportunity to support the sterling work done by the Roehampton hospital. Donated work will also be on sale throughout the weekend in a designated area.

BCAF is open 6-9pm on Friday 17 November and 11am-5pm on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 November at the Battersea Arts Centre, Battersea Old Town Hall, Lavender Hill, London, SW11 5TN. Tickets are available on the door and entry costs £6 GBP or £4 GBP concessions (accompanied children under 16 gain free entry). Booking information for artists is at http://www.bcaf.info

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Established in 1992, the Battersea Contemporary Art Fair is operated by Maria Newton, who bought it from the previous, retiring owners in summer 2000. The event now runs twice a year - in May and November - at Battersea Arts Centre, an English Heritage site and registered charity. BCAF has gained an enviable reputation for attracting an excellent variety of high quality work and making contemporary art accessible to the public. Two full time employees and up to 14 part-timers produce the events.

For further information, please contact:
Maria Newton, Battersea Contemporary Art Fair
Tel: 01428 661229 Email:
Site: www.bcaf.info