Art community unites to help refugee girls’ education
Design student unites art community to help refugee girls’ education
A 19-year old graphic design student has persuaded a wide mix of up-and-coming artists to donate their work to raising funds for girls’ education in places where this basic human right is not being met.
Anna Marshall has mustered an eclectic group of artists for the exhibition titled Art for Education. The event aims to raise money for The Malala Fund, which helps girls to get an education in places such as Kenya, Syrian refugee camps and Nigeria.
‘Girls in these countries often don’t get to go to school. They can miss out through gender discrimination, poverty and war. Without schooling, they have little or no chance of ever improving their lives, or looking after their families’, says Anna Marshall.
Miss Marshall hopes that sale of the artworks will not only help disadvantaged girls, but also serve a positive purpose closer to home.
‘I want to spark the wider community’s interest in visual arts, and give up-and-coming artists an opportunity to be seen by a broad range of people. I’d love the collaboration within the art community to build, to highlight and help this important cause.’
Marshall loves challenges. That has led her to many adventures, from an exchange to France to running a half marathon. This project and exhibition combines her passion for creativity with the skills of artists around her for the good of girls who have grown up in much harsher conditions.
‘I know how privileged I have been in my life. Growing up in New Zealand means I’ve lived with peace, stability, and a good education system. I want to help other girls have what I’ve been lucky enough to get.’
To raise as much money as possible for the Malala Fund, Marshall has set up a crowd funding page on boosted.org.nz to cover venue hire and other costs. This page will be active from 22 May until June.
The Art for Education exhibition will be held at the Mt Eden Village Centre from 30 June - 2 July. The show will feature work from artists such as Adam Portraiture Award winner Henry Christian-Slane, Sculptor Mark Rayner, and illustrator Toni Gill. The opening night, Friday 30 June, will feature drinks and jazz, sponsored by Brothers Beer and Little Bite Creations, giving visitors the chance to socialise while they check out the wonderful art.
‘I hope people from all over Auckland will flood in to help this good cause. They can buy a work from a soon-to-be-famous artist, get up with the play on trends in the art scene, and positively support an important cause all at the same time. So to anyone who’s interested in art or keen to help a good cause, I’d say—come!’
Here’s the list of artists who have works in
the exhibition
Toni Gill
Sophie
Miya-Smith
Sophie Blazey
Nic Little
Melissa
Young
Maxi Quy
Mark Rayner
Lizzie Snow
Kate
Bedford
Karlin Morrison Raju
Jeffrey Kirby
Holly
Schroder
Henry Christian-Slane
Henrietta
Harris
Geo Smith
Gabi Lardies
Fern Ngatai
Ella
Stanford
Connor Crawford
Chippy
Cait
Johnson
Benjamin Gary Richards
Ahnand Unka
Amy
Bridgford
Annie Sandano
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