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Marine Art Exhibition in Norwich to raise funds for RNLI lifeboat stations

Lifeboats News Release

The East Anglian Group of Marine Artists (EAGMA) will be showcasing some of the finest maritime painters in the East of England at The Forum in Norwich from Monday 31 July to Saturday 5 August.

EAGMA Annual Exhibition event poster

RNLI/EAGMA

EAGMA Annual Exhibition event poster

In celebration of Norwich’s rich marine history and regional independent painters, The East Anglian Group of Marine Artists has announced its annual maritime art exhibition.

EAGMA, founded in Suffolk in 1976, is an organisation that brings together artists who cover a spectrum of marine-subject art from beach life and sunsets to the open ocean.

The group’s annual show allows its members to present and sell their amazing artwork while giving back to the community by fundraising for charity.

This year’s showcase is fundraising to support the hard work of the RNLI, which has a total of nine lifeboat stations across the Norfolk and Suffolk coast including Hunstanton, Wells-next-the-Sea, Sheringham, Cromer, Happisburgh, Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Lowestoft, Southwold, and Aldeburgh.

A percentage of all sales of paintings and money made from the event will go towards the RNLI.

The East Anglian Group of Marine Artists said: ‘The exhibition, open to the public on Monday 31 July, will take place at the Forum in central Norwich.

‘It will offer visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in the captivating world of marine art while enjoying a welcome respite from the summer heat and bustle of the city.

‘All the paintings will be available for purchase and admission is free from 10am to 5pm.’

EAGMA members who will be displaying some of their artwork at the event include Mary Richardson, Ian Walker, Francesca and Lenny Townsend, Rachel Thomas, and John Patchett.

Alongside them will be Richard Dack and Anthony Osler, members of The Royal Society of Marine Artists (RSMA), as well as Andrew King, a member of The Royal Institute of Oil Painters (ROI).

RNLI volunteer all-weather lifeboat (ALB) crew member David Gillingwater, from Aldeburgh lifeboat station, will also be exhibiting his paintings at the event.

David is a recently accepted member of EAGMA whose art is focused on lifeboat portraits. He said: ‘The show is a manifesto of the group's brilliant marine artists.

‘It will help gain support and recognition for EAGMA as well as the RNLI, the charity that saves lives at sea.’

Michael Daley, Chair of EAGMA said: ‘We are delighted to continue our support for the RNLI as we welcome the public to this exceptional exhibition, particularly here in the city of the artists Seago and Cotman.

‘This marks the group’s first open exhibition in the heart of the city, and it is a testament of the immense talent found within our region as well as the bravery of those who put their lives at risk on the sea every day.

‘If you find yourself in Norwich during the exhibition dates, we encourage you to drop in and experience the extraordinary talents of your fellow East Anglians.’

To find out more about the exhibition, please visit: https://theforumnorwich.co.uk/visit-us/norfolk-norwich-millennium-library or use #EAGMARNLI on social media to share and explore the event, and see the beautiful display of maritime art.

Be part of a lifesaving tradition. The RNLI relies on people like you dedicating their time and energy to saving lives at sea.

If you would like to volunteer for the RNLI, please contact [email protected] or the Volunteer Experience team on [email protected] / call 0300 300 9913.

Notes to editors

To learn more about EAGMA, go to: https://www.eagma.co.uk/

The RNLI is seeking more ‘hands on deck’ in the Norfolk area. Check out the RNLI website to find out more about RNLI volunteering: https://rnli.org/support-us/volunteer or contact your local Community Manager for Norfolk specific opportunities.

East of England RNLI lifeboat station information:

RNLI picture caption

Photograph 1 shows the EAGMA Annual Exhibition event poster. Photo credit: EAGMA, https://www.eagma.co.uk/.

Photograph 2 shows RNLI volunteer and EAGMA member David Gillingwater. Photo credit: David Gillingwater, https://www.portraitsinoilpaint.co.uk/.

Photograph 3 shows Andrew King’s ‘Barges off Buttermans Bay’ painting. Photo credit: EAGMA.

Photograph 4 shows Richard Dack’s ‘Working Boats, Bridlington’ painting. Photo credit: EAGMA.

RNLI media contacts

For more information, please contact Toni Carr, RNLI Media Engagement Placement, on 07890 402106 or [email protected]

RNLI volunteer and EAGMA member David Gillingwater presenting his paintings in front of an RNLI lifeboat

RNLI/David Gillingwater

RNLI volunteer and EAGMA member David Gillingwater
Andrew King’s ‘Barges off Buttermans Bay’ painting

RNLI/EAGMA

Andrew King’s ‘Barges off Buttermans Bay’ painting
Richard Dack’s ‘Working Boats, Bridlington’ painting

RNLI/EAGMA

Richard Dack’s ‘Working Boats, Bridlington’ painting

Key facts about the RNLI

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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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.