Home News Features Artist donates calendar proceeds to flood victims

Artist donates calendar proceeds to flood victims

Tuesday, 05 January 2010

A charitable Southside artist who was moved by the plight of those affected by the floods last year is donating a portion of the proceeds from the sales of a calendar containing some of his artwork to the victims. Lewis Evans, who lives in Glenageary, was listening to the Joe Duffy talk radio show when he was profoundly touched by the heart breaking stories of local people, farmers and business owners who were seriously affected by the unprecedented flooding. Unconvinced by the promises of support pledged by the Government he decided to donate a substantial portion of the proceeds from the sale of the calendar to a special appeal for flood victims set up by the Irish Red Cross. Horrendous Explaining how the idea came about, Mr Evans said: “I was doing the calendar anyway and then I was driving my car and listening to some of the people calling into this programme on the radio. “They were talking about the horrendous problems they were having and I thought this could be an opportunity to help a little bit. So I got in touch with the Red Cross and they told me they actually were not producing a calendar, so they put mine on their website. “A lot of people were really taken by surprise by the scale of the flooding and people's businesses as well as their houses were devastated. “There is several million in flood aid coming from the Government but I felt the Red Cross would do it quicker. I think a third party like the Red Cross is probably a better way to distribute the funds.” Mr Evans also said that the donation of the proceeds of the calendar is part of a wider programme he has pioneered, which is of mutual benefit to both artists and charities. “There are lots of ways that artists and business and charities can help each other,” he added. “I'm always looking for sustainable ways artists can help charities and that's why I have developed this website (www.making-art-work.com). “This is being piloted at the moment in Canada and I want to pioneer it over here as well. It will help artists give work to charities on a permanent basis.” Called A Year of Creativity, the calendar features paintings and pastels by Mr Evans that can be bought for e20 by clicking on the How to Help page of the Irish Red Cross at www.redcross.ie Floods Some e6 of every calendar sold will go directly to the Irish Red Cross, as part of their special appeal to help victims of the floods. An internationally renowned artist, Mr Evans has exhibited in New York, London, Marbella, Geneva and Vancouver, where he had his own studio and gallery. More recently he held his first Irish exhibition in Dalkey. He moved to Glenageary last year with his Irish wife Olga Sheehan and is already actively involved in the local art community. The paintings in the calendar include a diversity of styles, ranging from vibrant abstracts to landscapes and portraits.