Raising funds for charity through art

Exhibiting artist Rosie Ablewhite created Jennifer Saunders using red wine. Credit Rosie Ablewhite EMN-161013-132312001

Femmes of the Fens was held recently at the Gallery at St Martins, in Lincoln, and proceeds from the exhibition will be donated to West Lincolnshire Domestic Abuse Service (WLDAS).

WLDAS provides support and assistance for women, men and children suffering from, or fleeing from domestic abuse.

Lucy King, WLDAS refuge project manager, said: “Its wonderful that Femmes of the Fens have chosen WLDAS to benefit from their exhibition celebrating inspiring local women.

The Lincolnshire Bomber Roller Girls presenting a cheque to artist Mel Langton. Credit Peter Worth EMN-161123-100743001

“The money that Femmes of the Fens has raised will make a huge difference to the lives of the families we support.”

Featured Lincolnshire artists at Femmes of the Fens included Mel Langton, Rosie Ablewhite and Jemima Cholmondeley-Smith.

The artists honoured inspirational women in Lincolnshire including Jennifer Saunders, originally from Sleaford, Paralympian Jade Etherington and celebrity chef Rachel Green.

Artist Jemima Cholmondeley-Smith said: “Femmes of the Fens has been an incredible event and we’re so pleased to have raised so much money for such an amazing cause.”

Owner of the Gallery at St Martins Phil Bowmen, with aritsts and organisers Rosie Ablewhite, Mel Langton, Jemima Cholmondeley-Smith and Georgia Rae Brown from Eether Limited. Credit Peter Worth EMN-161123-101245001

Businesses in Lincoln all donated to the cause, and a Justgiving page for Femmes of the Fens raised more than £100 with donations from the public.

The Lincolnshire Bomber Roller Girls, the first roller derby team in Lincolnshire, raised money towards the exhibition – some £428 in total.

Kate Wiltshire, from Lincolnshire Bomber Roller Girls, said: “We strive to work with the local community and this was our way of showing our support for the hard work that West Lincolnshire Domestic Abuse Service do.”

Eether PR, a PR firm in Lincoln, helped organise the exhibition and is pleased with the outcome.

Georgia Rae Brown, director of Eether PR, said: “Femmes of the Fens has been a humbling and extremely empowering event to be involved with.

“The artist’s work and the stories of the women they chose as their subjects has been astounding, not forgetting the West Lincolnshire Domestic Abuse Service that work passionately to change the lives of so many men, women and children.”