7th December 2007
The New Towner Trust is raising money towards the building costs of the new home for Eastbourne’s Towner Art Collection at the new cultural centre in an exciting initiative launched today. Art lovers will have the chance to buy a limited edition reproduction of an Eric Ravilious watercolour Lombardy Poplars.
The painting has been in private ownership since its creation in 1935 and has made very few public appearances. The Lombardy Poplars was most recently on public display in May 2007 at the Venton Centre, as part of Age Concern Eastbourne’s Quality of Life event. Since that tantalisingly short 5 day exhibition in May 2007, the painting had been formally loaned to the Towner Art Collection and has been carefully conserved.
The Ravilious Family and the Private Owner have given special permission for this painting to be produced in a very high quality limited edition of 500 prints.
Julian Martyr, the charity’s Chairman said: ‘Lombardy Poplars’ would be a very special present, for Christmas, New Year, a birthday or anniversary! The painting would also be a very tasteful addition to a boardroom, or office reception area and is a superb demonstration of support for this important Sussex project. Much more attractive than buying a brick!’
Eastbourne businesswoman Emma Mason, who specialises in British prints, is providing sponsorship in kind for this project by donating her time and expertise in the sale of these special prints. David O’Connor Designs is donating the print design of the promotional card. The print is available unframed including delivery within the UK for £295.
The new cultural centre will provide a new home for the nationally important Towner Art Collection with international standard galleries on the first and second floor for the permanent collection and touring exhibitions. The centre features a purpose built accessible art store for the Towner Art Collection, an art research studio, three community and education rooms, two conference exhibition halls, a second floor café with terrace with Downland views and a gallery gift shop.
When the construction work is complete at the end of March 2008, the new environment will have to stabilise before the artworks can move into their new home, therefore the new centre will open to the public in early summer 2008.
The new £8.6 million Cultural Centre is funded by a unique partnership of major funders comprising the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), Arts Council England, The Heritage Lottery Fund and Eastbourne Borough Council. The New Towner Trust has raised funds through by individual donors and grant making trusts including the Wolfson Foundation.
Visit Emma Mason’s website to order your print now or telephone 01323 413555.
