Celebrities and artists joined together to make the 2014 Stars On Canvas fundraiser a record-breaking success
Thanks to original artworks by top artists and celebrities, from tv star, Reece Shearsmith, singer Robbie Williams to football legend Dennis Bergkamp, along with characters including The Gruffalo and Mr Benn painted by their creators, world famous photographer, Rankin, and artworks by leading artists, Richard Long and JJ Adams, the 2014 Stars on Canvas online auction was a huge success. More than 330 canvases were donated to national charity Willow for the fourth Stars On Canvas online auction, all starting at just 99p, the total raised was a record-breaking £76,000.
With fantastic support in promoting the auction and exhibition across social media, the artists and celebs promoted their canvases to followers, to help enable a nail-biting final few hours on the evening of Sunday 23 November with many bids doubling in the remaining last seconds on each item.
The much anticipated Willow fundraiser takes more than a year to collate; the one-off canvases featured in the 2014 Stars on Canvas collection had been created by more than 330 stars of TV and film, sports personalities and musicians, as well as respected artists, illustrators and cartoonists. By choosing to support Willow they have helped ensure that many more uplifting and unforgettable Special Days will be fulfilled for young adults living with serious illness.
The canvases achieving the highest bids included those by leading UK artists JJ Adams, Nic Joly, Richard Long and Deborah Azzopardi, singers Annie Lennox, Robbie Williams and Will.i.am, Arsenal FC and football legend Dennis Bergkamp and well known characters The Gruffalo by Axel Schfeller, Mr Benn by David McKee and Bagpuss by Peter Firmin.
“This year’s Stars on Canvas fundraiser has far exceeded all expectations with regards to the amount raised and the number and calibre of participating artists and celebrities. We are extremely grateful for every contribution and for all the support provided to us from a whole host of supporters and third-parties, including Royal Talens and Trinity Art Supplies for all the canvases and art material; The Crown Estate for providing the gallery space, and; artist Julieanne Gilburt whose help and contacts ensured that this year was such a success. We have been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of the participating artists to help promote the auction to their fans and followers.” Said Bob Wilson, Arsenal legend and Willow co-founder and Life President.