Words by Smiley Team
Pictures for the Beehive is a roadshow exhibition aiming to raise money to provide therapy for those in need.
First shown in September 2021, it exhibits portraits of the attendees of The Beehive Centre, which is a day activity and therapy centre that assists adults with disabilities.
Supported by Diverse Abilities, a disability charity in Dorset, four artists sat down with attendees of The Beehive to draw their portraits. The artists – Henrietta Young, Ursula Leach, Jemma Phipps, and Sarah Pickstone – contributed artwork depicting the daily lives of the people who attend the centre.
“The process of quiet attention involved in this, whether in drawing and being drawn, just talking, or simply in quiet companionship, has proved to be an extraordinary and enriching experience for everyone involved," say the charity.
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The initial exhibition auctioned off donated paintings and raised £100,000 for the charity, all of which supported people with disabilities.
In particular, the money went to support The Splash Appeal, a bid to help build a therapy pool to provide hydrotherapy for adults with disabilities of all kinds. Hydrotherapy is proven to have many benefits, including strengthening muscles, improving mobility and reducing pain. It also meets sensory needs and offers new freedoms and independence.
The roadshow exhibition has four stops, followed by an auctioning of the portraits, to help raise money for The Splash Appeal and its hydrotherapy pool.
:: 10th – 13th July, St. Peter’s Church, Bournemouth, BH1 2EE – 10am til 5pm daily
:: 16th – 17th July, Salisbury Cathedral, SP1 2EF, 9.30am until 4pm Saturday, 12.30pm until 3pm Sunday
:: 17th – 18th September, Snape Maltings, Suffolk, IP17 1SP, 10am until 5.30pm Saturday, 10am until 4pm Sunday
:: 29th September – 1st October, The Halpern Gallery, Kent, ME4 4BP, 9.30am until 5.30pm Thurs-Fri, 10am until 4pm Saturday
The auction will take place at Apothecaries’ Hall on 2 November, and will directly benefit the people depicted in the portraits.
DONATE: Directly donate to The Splash Appeal on their website.
GET INVOLVED: Hold your own fundraiser for Diverse Abilities.
VOLUNTEER: Support Diverse Abilities as an event volunteer for their fundraisers.
