The Big Art Secret is a fundraising initiative, run in partnership between St Wilfrid’s and Towner Art Gallery.
Celebrities and local supporters contributed postcard-sized works of art, which were exhibited at the gallery and auctioned to raise money for the two organisations. Each piece of art is signed on the back by the artist, so that their identity remains secret until the end of the auction.
Celebrities such as Grayson Perry, Graham Norton, Ronnie Corbett, David Cameron, David Dimbleby, Ranulph Fiennes and Andrew Marr contributed miniature masterpieces, alongside local art groups, supporters and patients.
Other contributors include contemporary artist Sue Campion, Glyndebourne artist in residence Julian Sutherland-Beatson, Saatchi winner Barry Wilson and professional painter and workshop tutor Elda Abramson.
The postcard-sized art was exhibited at Towner for two weeks, with each piece of art work was labelled with a QR code so that visitors could place bids from their phones or tablets, at the exhibition or from home.
The auction, which was run through eBay and ended on Sunday, raised a total of £26,392.98 – which will be split 80/20 between St Wilfrid’s Hospice and Towner Art Gallery.
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