SURREY CHARITY - ARTVENTURE TRUST, TURNS 40 AND CELEBRATES WITH A RECEPTION AT WEST HORSLEY PLACE AND IT’S VERY FIRST ART AUCTION.

28th October 2024 | Lieutenancy News

SURREY CHARITY – ARTVENTURE TRUST, TURNS 40 AND CELEBRATES WITH A RECEPTION AT WEST HORSLEY PLACE AND IT’S VERY FIRST ART AUCTION.

The Iconic ‘West Horsley Place’ which recently starred in the BBC TV series – ‘Ghosts’, was the venue for the charity’s 40^th celebration which welcomed supporters and friends and families of the artists and was attended by Deputy Lieutenant Mrs Caroline Breckell MVO who is a Trustee of the charity. Guests were able to view a collection of Art produced by the people who Artventure supports, which features in ‘The 2024 BIG Artventure Auction’ – running online until 1^st December.

Also during the evening guests were invited to be the first to see a new documentary showcasing the work of the charity before it was launched on the Artventure website.

Artventure Trust started providing visual art sessions for learning disabled adults in 1984 in one of the classrooms of St Peter’s School in Merrow. Today they have their own purpose built studio in the grounds of the school and they have just started to operate their second studio at Gosden House School in Bramley. 55 clients visit their sessions weekly, where a team of practicing artists, artworkers and volunteers guide them to explore the visual arts and socialise in a safe and fun environment.

‘We are pleased to be able to offer our services in two studios since April. We constantly receive feedback that sessions like ours are much needed and the fact that we are nearing capacity at both sites supports this.’ Said Mariann Kehrling, manager of Artventure Trust.

Once someone becomes a member of the Artventure family, whether they are participants or volunteers, they stay for a long time. Magic is in the air during sessions in the studio and many claim that the highlight of their week is to come to Artventure!

‘I have such fun working with the participants, we laugh and joke a lot. I look forward to my volunteering days because they are such good company and helping them make art is a joy,’ said Diana Sands.

Artventure is not just about being creative – it is also a place where great friendships are forged.

At Artventure the most important thing is the creative process but they also like to show the produced artwork to the wider community at local exhibitions. Celebrating their 40^th Anniversary they will have their first ever SILENT AUCTION from 22 October to 1 December where anyone can bid for the pieces in the special 40^th Anniversary Collection. All income will support Artventure Trust. (https://bit.ly/ArtventureAuction)

The Documentary is now available to view at; https://youtu.be/zc_94lS9DaU?si=JLa0oaQnZRC3hP3x