If you’ve always wanted to pick up a pen or paintbrush, now is just the right mew-ment. Artists are needed for the third annual Hanover Portrait and Cat Craft Exhibition, which will take place in May at The Dover Castle pub. Anyone can enter, whether they are a professional artist, budding amateur, or first-time creator. All you have to do is make a kitty-themed creation. Different mediums are also encouraged, so feel free to submit knitted cats, pottery cats, or embroidered cats if you’re a keen maker or hobbyist.
Funds raised from the paw-sitively wonderful exhibit will go to Lost Cats Brighton, a local charity which rescues and rehomes more than 200 moggies annually. This community-focused event was dreamed up by local artist and cat owner Eva Hellqvist, who runs the adorable OhSoSwedish studio on Brighton seafront. Eva and fellow organiser Hannah Osmond, a volunteer and trustee of Lost Cats Brighton, have high hopes to beat the £723 raised from sales of the artwork during last year’s exhibition.
Speaking about last year’s event, Eva said: “I think what people really enjoyed about this event was the range of works that were on sale, and the opportunity for any cat owner living in the neighbourhood to pick up a brush or a pen and get creative.
“We were fortunate enough to have some wonderful portraits donated by some hugely talented Hanover-based artists, including Charlie Doidge, who also generously created our beautiful posters for us. Also, we had people taking part who said they hadn’t done anything ‘arty’ since school, as well as a few budding junior artists. People seemed to really relish releasing their inner artist, whilst raising money for a good cause and, of course, enjoying a drink whilst chatting about cats.”
This year’s event is particularly important because Lost Cats Brighton sadly lost its founder and director, Ron Ayers, this January. His passing has meant the charity has had to give up its rented premises and adapt to become a foster and lost/found service for cats in need.
The location of the event is also key – Hanover is a strong contender for the ‘cattiest’ neighbourhood in Brighton and Hove! The Facebook group ‘The Cats of Hanover’ has a following on 1,445 members and growing. It was set up by local resident Ken Frost off the back of the BBC documentary ‘The Secret Life of Cats’ and has enabled fans of felines to connect over their beloved pets.
The deadline for submissions is 23 April, so stop pro-cat-stinating and get your art on! For details on how to submit your work, email [email protected].
Featured image: Portraits of Harry & Huxley by artist Gigi Blumer.
