22/07/2008 07:48:00
Scottish artist Jack Vettriano has donated a new drawing to the Oriel Plas Glyn-y-Weddw gallery in Pwllheli, North Wales.
'Beautiful Dreamer' will be auctioned, along with 11 other works by artists and celebrities, in the hopes that enough money will be raised to save the gallery - one of the oldest in Wales - from closure.
With annual costs of £200,000 and a grant of just £15,000 from the Arts Council for Wales to sustain it so far, it is hoped that the auction will make a big difference to the gallery's future.
The BBC reports that Fife-born Vettriano said: "I first heard of the Oriel Plas Glyn-y-Weddw gallery when a friend and collector of my work asked me if I would contribute something to their fundraising event.
"I do get many requests to help many different causes but I thought the gallery looked magnificent and was sorry to hear that Wales' oldest gallery gets overlooked for funding.
The drawing, which is produced on an A6 card, shows the image of a woman standing at the window in Vettriano's London studio. It is the first drawing he has ever submitted for public display.
It will feature in the auction this Saturday alongside works from selected artists including Wrexham-born Keith Bowen, Gareth Parry, William Selwyn and Welsh concert singer Bryn Terfel.
The gallery's director, Gwyn Jones, revealed that significant attention has already been paid to Vettriano's piece. According to the BBC, he said: "We've already had substantial interest with people wanting to place phone bids. The reserve is £5,000 and we're hoping it will make £10,000."
The auction will take place on the opening night of the gallery's Cerdlun exhibition. Tickets have already sold out, but will be open to phone bids.