15 July 2008
Local artist Margaret Turton was the lucky winner at the Ladies’ International Tennis event at Devonshire Park last week, when she won first prize in a raffle held in aid of the new Towner building. The lucky ticket was pulled out of the hat on centre court before the final match of the Championship.
The New Towner Trustees offered visitors to the Ladies Tennis Championships the chance to win a copy of a limited edition fine art print, in order to raise funds for the Towner building project, which is nearing completion.
The print ‘Lombardy Poplars’ is a reproduction of an original watercolour painting by Eric Ravilious (1903–1942), an exceptionally gifted artist who grew up in Eastbourne, studied and taught at the Eastbourne School of Art.
The watercolour has been in private ownership since 1936 and was recently offered on long term loan to the Towner by the family of the artist. The original painting was professionally restored prior to the print production and was recently seen by audiences in London when it was lent to the Fine Art Society in Bond Street.
The painting will feature in the Towner opening displays when the new building opens at the end of the year.
Julian Martyr, chairman of the New Towner Trust said, “We are delighted with the response for the raffle, and grateful to the Lawn Tennis Association for supporting the campaign. This exciting new building project is nearing completion and we will continue fundraising until the end of the year.”
The New Towner Trust launched the sale of the print in January this year and every penny apart from the production costs are being donated to the fund-raising campaign for the new building. So far sales of the print have raised nearly £40,000. Copies of the high quality limited edition giclée print are still available from Emma Mason British Prints on (01323) 413555.
Margaret Turton, the lucky winner of the framed print, is herself an accomplished artist. Margaret took part in the Eastbourne Festival in March, when she opened her Willingdon home to the public as part of the Open Houses event. Her work is currently being exhibited at Gallery North studios in Hailsham until 30 August.
