Donate now

Art exhibition in Norwich for RNLI as charity celebrates its 200th anniversary

Lifeboats News Release

Great Yarmouth and Gorleston RNLI Fundraising Guild are holding an Art Exhibition on the weekend of 28th September. The event will take place at The Barn, Ravingham Hall, Norwich with the kind permission of Sir Nicholas Bacon and family.

Event poster with a paint of RNLI lifeboat on the shoreline

RNLI

RNLI's bicentenary on March 4th marked 200 years of saving lives at sea

The art show will feature over 20 well known, established professional artists from the East Anglian Group of Marine Artists and the Southwold Art Circle. Two sculptors will also be taking part in show, open from 10am to 4pm, refreshments will be available throughout the weekend.

Alongside celebrating the charity’s 200th anniversary the show will also be paying tribute to and commemorating the late artist Russell Foster, who sadly died recently at the age of 96. Russ was an enthusiastic founder of the artist group; he was also a great supporter of the Great Yarmouth and Gorleston RNLI, having launched the art group's support of the guild through local Art Exhibitions. Before Russ died he created a series of painting of Fritton Lake.

Russ’ son Andrew Foster will be opening the art show to the public.
Andrew said: ‘Russ insisted on carrying on painting from his sick bed.

‘As an old sea dog himself Russ was a natural maritime artist and excelled at painting ominous oceans as well as his beloved Scottish Lochs. His portrayal of the true colour of waves and the way they behave being utterly astounding, doubtless due to the sea salt running through his veins.

‘Russ was a very determined inspirational character and the enthusiastic founder who launched the group supporting Great Yarmouth and Gorleston RNLI via local art exhibitions. A long life well lived on the ocean wave, Russ we will miss you much but your art drifts on distant shores.’

It comes after the RNLI celebrated 200 years of saving lives at sea on Monday 4th March 2024 – thanks to volunteers giving their time to save others, all funded by voluntary public donations.

Great Yarmouth and Gorleston Fundraising Guild aims to raise vital lifesaving funds for the RNLI ensuring the charity and its volunteer crews and lifeguards can continue saving people from the risk of drowning for the next 200 years. The branch welcomes new members.

Its nearest RNLI Lifeboat stations are Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Lowestoft, Aldeburgh, Southwold.

No tickets are needed to enter the event the public are welcome to Raveningham Hall from 10am on Saturday 28th September.

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone Lauren Wright, RNLI Media Engagement - Placement on 07890 402106 or [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789 or [email protected]

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

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.

Categories