Art and sailing unite for silent auction fundraiser

Masterworks and the Bermuda Sloop Foundation have joined forces for a fundraiser focussing on sailing and art.

The two charities are looking to raise money by auctioning off five reproductions of Masterwork’s most popular paintings throughout March and April. The proceeds will be divided between the two charities. The fundraiser culminates in a silent auction on Aril 19 and an art contest for primary, middle and senior school children. Prizes for each level include iPads, art lessons and a berth on the Sloop (for senior students.) 

Beginning on March 8, prints of five paintings related to sailing will, for the first time, be offered to the public via an on-line silent auction process at http://artinsailing.wordpress.com. 

A spokesman for the museum said: “Each painting depicts the theme of sailing in Bermuda and is reproduced using the modern and high quality method of giclee printing — a method that produces remarkable images that are almost indistinguishable from the originals. This is a rare and unique opportunity to purchase a very high quality reproduction of art from the permanent collection of the Masterworks Museum.”

Bidders can visit the website to view the paintings, place bids and check the bidding status of each print. 

The on-line bidding process will finish on April 12 at 5:30pm and the top three bidders will receive these reproductions.  The remaining two reproductions, which

will be framed, will be offered in a silent auction at the Art in Sailing celebration on April 19. The evening begins at 5:30pm and will include drinks and hors d’oeuvres and other silent auction prizes.

The Bermuda Sloop Foundation and Masterworks are also featuring an artistic contest for local students. The contest, sponsored by Barbara and Preston Hutchings, focuses on the theme Art in Sailing and artwork can utilize any medium. 

The submissions will be divided between Primary, Middle and Senior year students and judged by local artists.

The due date for all artwork to be delivered to Masterworks is April 11. Check the websites of both Bermuda Sloop Foundation and Masterworks for more details.

and http://artinsailing.wordpress.com

The reproductions can also be seen in person, they can be viewed at Masterworks Museum, in the Botanical Gardens and in the windows and in the offices of Bermuda Sloop Foundation at 12 Wesley Street in Hamilton.

Tom Butterfield of Masterworks said: “We are extremely pleased to partner with Bermuda Sloop Foundation as we wholly support its experiential and academic learning programs.”

Alan Burland of Bermuda Sloop Foundation added: “Educating and developing our youth and bringing the community together are key objectives of both of our organizations.   This truly is a unique opportunity not only to acquire a rare piece of Bermuda art, but also to support two charities that share a love of the sea and a devotion to community.”

Contact Masterworks Museum at 299-4000 or at [email protected], or Bermuda Sloop Foundation at 737-5667 [email protected] for further information.