DORSET artist Mark van Wingerden has joined a host of stars including Ant & Dec, Martin Clunes and footballer Marcus Rashford supporting Canvas for the Mac, an online charity canvas auction for a Christchurch hospice.
Canvas for the Mac will see a growing collection of uniquely designed doodles, sketches and lyrics by well-known names from the worlds of TV, sport, art and music, auctioned off on eBay.
Other big names who have contributed canvases so far include Dorset resident Harry Redknapp, Brian May from Queen, comedian Michael MacIntyre and musical stars The Vamps.
All money raised from the auction will go to the Macmillan Unit, based in the grounds of Christchurch Hospital, which provides palliative care and support for over 1600 people and their families every year.
Mark van Wingerden, from Friar’s Cliff near Christchurch is one of a number of professional artists also contributing to Canvas for the Mac.
He explained that he was inspired to support the event after a close friend was diagnosed with a terminal illness:
“I’ve always been aware of the great work of the Mac Unit. But recently a close friend was given some terrible news and this has made a huge impact on the way I think about life, its fragility and the importance of living life and helping others.
“The opportunity to support the unit through my work is a privilege and I hope more artists will come forward and donate artwork to support Canvas for the Mac too.”
Mark has gifted two stunning paintings: Cruise Race and Sail – both painted in 2018 on recycled yacht sails.
He explained: “One day in Lymington I spotted some old sails in a skip by the marina. I asked if I could have them and I have been painting on them ever since. They’re extremely hardwearing as you’d expect and obviously very fitting as a canvas for seascapes. I hope they will attract some good winning bids for the event.”
All signatures, doodles or drawings contributed to the auction are turned into a colourful and eye-catching canvas by a professional artist.
Canvases are also accompanied by a photograph of the celebrity creating them.
Lin Sharp, Capital Appeal Director of Macmillan Caring Locally, said: “We are extremely excited about this event, which we will hope will raise a significant amount of money for our Brick by Brick appeal, to replace the existing, outdated Mac Unit with a brand new hospice to meet the future needs of the community.
“Our huge thanks go to Mark and all the artists and celebrities who have donated canvases so far. We will be building excitement by publicising new celebrity contributors in the run-up to the auction and hope people will enjoy the chance to bid for their own piece of one-off celebrity artwork.”
Canvases will be on show at the Captain’s Club & Spa in Christchurch in May 2022, with the online auction taking place at the end of May 2022 for 10 days. More details to follow.
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Picture captions:
- Dorset artist Mark van Wingerden has joined a host of stars including Ant & Dec, Martin Clunes and footballer Marcus Rashford supporting Canvas for the Mac, an on-line charity canvas auction for the Mac Unit in Christchurch.
- TV stars Ant & Dec are among a host of stars who have designed and donated their own unique artwork for the Canvas for the Mac auction.
To donate to Macmillan Caring Locally’s Brick by Brick Appeal or to start your own fundraising journey please visit: www.macmillanlocal.org