Cullercoats Community Artists raise funds for RNLI
Cullercoats has a long association with the arts, most notably from housing an Artists Colony between 1870 and 1920, the most famous resident of which was the American watercolour artist, Winslow Homer.
Homer drew inspiration from the sea and coastline, capturing the beautiful landscape and the every day heroism of the fisherfolk who quietly went about their dangerous work.
Ebb & Flow, a community arts project based at The Boatyard cafe in Cullercoats opened their doors and easels to local artists, who answered the call to present their work including visual art, and written word over two nights.
The event was well supported, and with inspiration for much of the art coming from the sea and the coastline, the organisers raised £440 to ensure that the crew and volunteers of Cullercoats RNLI can continue to save lives at sea.
Organiser Lesley Wood said: ‘It was a resounding celebration of the bay, the community and the power of the sea and nature that has helped to keep our local community going through these pandemic times.'
On Sunday 26 September, Ebb and Flow, presented the funds raised to Cullercoats RNLI, surrounded by the community who use the sea for inspiration and recreation.
Lifeboat Operations Manager, Frank Taylor said:‘The support we get from our local community is fantastic, and our volunteers take great heart from knowing how much the local area supports our life saving work. The Ebb and Flow arts project may take inspiration from the sea, but it is us that take and use that inspiration and support every time we put to sea, knowing we might be delivering a loved one back to a local family.'
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The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.
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