Art Auction for Indian Children

dublin | arts and media | event notice Wednesday October 31, 2007 12:16 by andrew kenny - the Bridge Foundation

An Art Auction in Aid of The Bridge Foundation, Calcutta, will take place on Fri 9th November at 7pm in Filmbase, Curved St Building, Templebar. (near the IFI).

100% of monies raised will go directly to the Foundation, which works with children from the slums and streets of the city.

On the night there will be a wide range of work on sale from painting and print to photographic images and work created by the children helped by the project. There will also be entertainment provided by Indian Film and Raga musician, Ustav Lal and Indian food to sample.
It is sure to be an atmospheric and enjoyable evening and the perfect opportunity to purchase an artistic Christmas present!

hi, my name is Andrew kenny. i am an artist and teacher working in Dublin. in the summer of 2006 i spent a month working with a charity based in Kolkata (Calcutta). The Bridge Foundation is an organisation that was set up to help educate children from the impoverished streets of the city. its common knowledge that there is a link between poverty and lack of education. while children in India are technically required to attend to school roughly up to the equivalent of our primary school level many have very poor attendance records due to ill health and financial pressures which force them to work. those that do go very often have no place to study at home - home frequently being the side of the street, and also have little of no support as their parents are more often than not, illiterate themselves. the Foundation has set up after school study centres for children affected by these circumstances. with the help of teachers the children have a chance to develop their learning skills and reinforce or catch up on school work. they also provide help in the form of medical aid and counceling for those who need it.
while i was there i made some art work with the children which i have brought home and intend to auction along with work by irish artists. all the proceeds form the auction will go directly to the foundation and provide much needed funds for materials and for the afore mentioned services.
i would greatly appreciate it if you could suport this venture by attending what is sure to be a special event.
thanks!
andrew kenny