Artist paints landmark that’s good enough to eat
PRESS RELEASE
Jamtastic artwork set to raise funds for charity.
Blackberry jam trees, marmalade pavements, mint sauce buildings and a tartar sauce sky all feature in a mouth watering new painting set to raise funds for The New Children’s Hospital Appeal.
F. Duerr & Sons, makers of jam, marmalade, sweet spreads and condiments commissioned local artist Lindi Kirwin to capture the iconic Central Library building in Manchester using the products available from their factory.
Named ‘Manchester Preserved’, The vibrant and creative interpretation, created at Lindi’s studio in Vernon Mill, Stockport and due to be unveiled at Broadstone Mill, Stockport, is set to be auctioned online this month. Duerr’s hope that the painting will exceed the reserve price of £1,000.
Duerr’s has joined other local businesses and individuals to take part in the Many Hands Campaign which tasks fundraisers to come up with a creative way to raise £1,000. The most creative ideas are then set to be judged at a Dragon’s Den style event by an expert panel, including Dragon himself, Theo Paphitis.
The Many Hands Campaign forms part of a wider initiative to raise £20m to provide state of the art equipment for the New Manchester Children’s Hospital as well as accommodation facilities for parents whose children have to be admitted to the hospital. The hospital is the largest children’s hospital in the UK and will treat over 150,000 children a year.
Richard Duerr, sales and Marketing Director comments “The work we do alongside local charities is extremely important to us as a family business. This campaign challenged us to come up with an innovative idea and we’ve been blown away by the finished result. We’re confident that our tasty creation will reach the £1,000 price tag.”
Lindi Kirwin adds “I must admit I’ve never been approached with a commission quite like this one. As I began to work with the jams and sauces though I got used to the medium, each product required a different approach and I used brushes, spatulas and my fingers to get the finished result.
“This project means a lot to me as my son was treated in Booth Hall Children’s hospital which will be replaced by The New Manchester Children’s Hospital. I know from personal experience that providing accommodation for parents whose children have been admitted to the hospital is so important for both the children and their families.”
Appeal Chairman Maurice Watkins adds: “We’ve had a great response to The Many Hands Campaign which seems to have caught the imagination of local businesses and individuals. The judging event should be a lot of fun and the lucky winner will host Theo Paphitis at their offices for the day.”
For more information about bidding on the artwork, please check the Duerr’s website at www.duerrs.co.uk or call Duerr’s on 0161 946 0535.
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For further information please contact Charlotte Morley at Democracy PR on 0845 224 9980 or email charlotte@democracypr.com
NOTES TO EDITORS
About F. Duerr & Sons
Duerr’s has been producing jam, marmalades, sweet spreads and condiments from their two sites in south Manchester for 128 years, now with 200 employees and an annual turnover of £40M the company is still true to its origins as a family business deeply rooted in the local community.
About Lindi Kirwin
Lindi was born in Bowdon, Cheshire and after bringing up her family she went on to pursue a successful career as a professional Contemporary Artist. She has exhibited in many galleries and sold her work worldwide. Her studio is based at Vernon Mill in Stockport. More information can be found at www.lindi-kirwin.co.uk
About Vernon Mill
Vernon Mill is an old cotton mill in Stockport, Cheshire and houses 43 artists’ studios in its top two storeys. The “Vernon Mill Artists” which include painters in oils and acrylics, sculptors, potters and photographers, operate from within studios in this huge building and are considered to be the largest artist led studio group in England.
About Broadstone Mill
Broadstone Mill, also in Stockport, houses a range of creative space from managed workspace to incubation and studio based accommodation. Artists in residence at the Mill include Ruth Anthony (winner of the Great Northern Contemporary Art Fair) and Guardian Award-winning photographer Paul Read.
About Many Hands
The Many Hands Campaign hopes to sign up 250 businesses to each pledge to raise £1,000 as part of The New Children’s Hospital Appeal. The New Children’s Hospital Appeal launched in May 2006 with the goal of raising £20 million to provide the new hospital with state-of-the-art equipment to help its doctors provide its patients with the very best in diagnosis and care. It also aims to provide parental accommodation facilities so that parents can stay close to their child during treatment.
The IoD Award for innovation
The IoD award for innovation which is supported by the Institute of Directors North West Region will recognise the more innovative way in which a company or individual raises funds to support the Many Hands Campaign. The winner will be awarded one day’s free training and coaching which has been donated by Nick Robinson.