Art students’ gift to Kirkwall RNLI Lifeboat Station
Two fine art students chose two charities to share commissions from painting sales; one of the charities was the Kirkwall RNLI Lifeboat Station. The presentation of £702 was gratefully accepted by lifeboat station crew on a Tuesday training evening this week.
The stairway up to the tasting room at The Orkney Distillery seems dark after leaving the sun over Kirkwall Harbour. On reaching the top, the environment changes as you enter a bright understated space, perfect for displaying a range of local artwork.
Evie Donaldson and Yvonne Harcus, studying for a BA in Fine Art at UHI organised a pop-up art show, on the 11-12 April, to fulfil requirements for their commercial module. Evie and Yvonne extended their model and approached two local charities – Kirkwall RNLI Lifeboat Station and Soma Light.
Artwork was submitted from fellow students, Alison MacKenzie Prentice, Janette MacDonald and Mia Train; other local established creatives, including Sheila Fleet, contributed to the artwork for sale. Some paintings included evocative seascapes, accentuated by the fact that the windows of the venue look out over Kirkwall Bay and West Pier, Kirkwall, where the Kirkwall RNLI Lifeboat is berthed.
The Orkney Distillery offered their tasting room free of charge, which meant that more money could be given to the charities. One painting was donated with the stipulation that the full price was to be given to the lifeboat station.
The RNLI is a charity who survive on donations and fundraising, both from affiliated fundraising groups and amazing people in our communities. We really appreciate the creativity involved in raising funds.
Notes to Editor
Commissions from art works sold were poignantly shared with Soma’s Light. The charity raise awareness to improve mental health for Orkney’s youth, one goal being to prevent suicide.
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For further information, please contact:
Erica Niven, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI Scotland, [email protected]
Richard Smith, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]
Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]
RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]
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