With many shows, auctions, fundraising dinners, clay shoots and our flagship Scottish Game Fair cancelled, Cumbria based wildlife artist, Ashley Boon, was left scratching his head wondering what he could do to help. A dedicated supporter of the GWCT, he came up with the idea of a permanent online gallery which would be a showcase for wildlife artists and also raise funds for the GWCT.
His idea was to have a gallery which would celebrate all the British wildlife that he and so many Trust members love and care about so deeply. Ashley enlisted the support of Ian Greensitt and Rodger McPhail, and last year the GWCT Online Wildlife Art Gallery became a reality. Launched in July, the gallery features Ashley’s work alongside Ian Greensitt’s sculptures. New work will be added three times a year from ‘Guest Artists’. The first Guest Artists were Rodger McPhail, followed by Owen Williams and Alistair Makinson, and in April the gallery looks forward to showing work by Peter Partington and David Cemmick.
Since its launch last July, the gallery has raised more than £17,000 to help support the ongoing work of the Trust. A very helpful boost in these difficult times. We are extremely grateful to all those members that have supported the gallery and we hope that it will be the go-to place for members looking for those special presents. A thank you for a day’s shooting, a Great Aunt’s 70th, a Godson’s 21st, a christening, wedding or retirement present, or you may just want to buy something beautiful for yourself. If you haven’t visited the GWCT Online Wildlife Art Gallery yet, please do at gwctgallery.org.uk.