World Animal Day 2006

[28 September 2006] - Naturewatch has joined forces with auction house Mallams and Cheltenham Ladies' College in a unique project to raise funds and to pay tribute to a very talented artist.

Last year we were bequeathed a number of oil paintings, pastels and prints by Bath artist and keen Naturewatch supporter Charmian Dunlop. It was a wonderful gesture and we hope that this project will help give this talented artist the recognition she deserves.

About the artist

Charmian was born in Newcastle in 1919 and was educated at Cheltenham Ladies' College and Durham University. She was always keen on art and her talent was nurtured by an encouraging teacher at school.

Later on, Charmian spent much of her married life in Malaysia and Singapore, and her work was very much influenced by the colours and vibrancy of life she witnessed there. When she returned to Britain, Charmian settled in Bath where she became a founder member of the Bath Artist Printmakers group.

Passionate about environmental and animal welfare issues, and a great lover of cats and dogs, Charmian requested that her paintings be auctioned to raise funds for Naturewatch Foundation.

About the auction

Earlier this year we approached Cheltenham fine art auctioneers Mallams to see if they could help us with selling Charmian's paintings, and they very kindly agreed to waive their fee in order to maximise the proceeds for the Foundation. We're particularly grateful to Saleroom Manager Andrew Marlborough for his support and the interest he has taken in our work. Andrew believes that Charmian's work could appeal to a wide range of people: 'Local restaurants refurbishing their premises or businesses looking to decorate their receptions and meeting rooms will find plenty to choose from, as will any members of the public hunting for an elegant gift.'

It was such a coincidence that Charmian had been to school in Cheltenham, where Naturewatch is based, that we felt we had to see if her old school would be interested in becoming involved. After talking to Head of Careers Geoffrey Bott, we decided that the auction process would be a wonderful opportunity for some of the students to undertake work experience in helping out with the cataloguing of Charmian's works beforehand, and also helping out on the day itself. As Geoffrey explains, 'Through this event a group of our current pupils will experience the workings of an auction house while honouring a former pupil. We are happy to have the opportunity to support our community in this way.'

Proceeds from the auction will go towards the refurbishment of a new wildlife rehab unit for the Lithuanian Society for the Protection of Animals. LiSPA wildlife rehab team undertakes valuable work for their native wildlife, ranging from rescuing swans that have become frozen in winter to tending to storks that have fallen from their nests in the spring. 

The auction is taking place in Mallams' Grosvenor Street saleroom in Cheltenham on Thursday 19 October (the nearest date to World Animal Day that the auction house had available) at 11 a.m. If you live in the area, or know anyone who does, please do support this important event to raise valuable funds for Naturewatch Foundation and to pay tribute to a talented artist.

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