RGS Art of Hope
Background & 2021 launch
In 2021, we launched RGS Art of Hope, generously sponsored by our friends at the Talent Insight Group, a global research firm based here in Newcastle. The event was established to raise funds for the Bursary Campaign and charities chosen by our students.
In 2021 we raised over £12,000 for the RGS Bursary Campaign, the Newcastle United Foundation’s Mental Health Programme, and Homeless North East. This was an astounding result and it was achieved across the whole of our RGS Family. Details of the 2021 canvasses and auction lots are available to browse here, and to the right is a glimpse at what was a wonderful exhibition event.
RGS Art of Hope returns in 2022
Once more, this autumn, our students (in Y6 and over) will be busy working on 20x20cm canvasses, creating a unique representation of what ‘Hope’ means to them personally. These canvasses will be exhibited on the 24th of November 2022 with an additional element to the event, a student-led 'Winter Wonderland' of beautifully decorated Christmas trees. The canvasses, special auction lots and sponsored trees will all raise funds for our unwavering commitment to the RGS Bursary Campaign, Depaul UK, an organisation focussing on the needs of young people who are – or about to become – homeless and Afrika Tikkun, a charity supported by RGS students touring South Africa in Summer 2023.
Call for auction lots and raffle prizes
Several stunning additions to 2021's auction were donations – both material and experiential - made by generous RGS parents and Old Novos with connections to the worlds of business, entertainment, hospitality and leisure to name but a few. See a glimpse of last year's prizes here:
Lucky winners enjoyed the likes of an OMEGA 007 Watch with Aston Martin Driving Experience; a ball boy/girl experience at Newcastle United; a two night mid-season stay at Langley Dam Glamping, in beautiful rural Northumberland; not to mention Champagne, Christmas hampers and even a regular supply of fresh eggs!
If you feel you could help us by donating an auction lot or raffle prize then please do contact us at development@rgs.newcastle.sch.uk as soon as you can. Anything, of any size, would be gratefully received, especially any unusual and/or desirable items which could make good Christmas gifts that you could help source. Thank you in advance for your support.
Book your ticket for RGS Art of Hope 2022
Thursday 24th November 2022
Tickets: Tickets are free but booking is essential.
Location: Agora and Sports' Hall, RGS, Eskdale Terrace, Newcastle, NE2 4DX
Timing: From 3.30pm for Junior School parents only, from 4.15pm for Senior School parents and other guests. Entry and exit is via the main reception on Eskdale Terrace.
Guidance for students submitting canvasses
Some key messages for students:
- All artwork needs to be returned to school by Wednesday the 16th of November.
- Canvasses are available from M131.
- There will be a session held in the Agora on Thursday 3rd November (2nd lunch) for any students wishing to come along for art support and access to materials for your canvas. Additional sessions will be run in B236 Monday 7th November, Thursday 10th November and Monday 14th November (all 2nd lunch).
Planning your canvas
The planning and thinking about how you will interpret the theme of 'Hope' on a 20x20cm
canvas is as important as creating the piece itself.
What is hope?
'Hope' is a feeling, an expectation, desire or wish for a particular goal. It's the pursuit of, or a pathway to, a better future. To have hope is to want an outcome that makes life better in some way and motivates us to make steps to make positive change happen. What does 'hope' mean to you?
Interpreting hope
Think about what you hope for. Think broadly about this, is it for an end to global warming, or is it for a hot chicken sandwich for lunch, or anything in between these extremes?! What activities make you feel hopeful? Who in your life gives you hope? When do you feel most positively that change for the good can happen? Why is hope important to you, or those you care about?
Planning your piece
The only limitation to your artwork is that it needs to appear on a 20x20cm canvas. You may choose to share your interpretation of hope in a drawing, painting, photography or you may enjoy writing a piece of poetry on your canvas. You might want to make your canvas multidimensional, for example using profound and personal, simple, everyday materials. You could use electronics or build something in DT. You could 3D print a shape or representation of an idea. We expect each piece to be as gloriously unique as each individual in our community, yet the uniformity of the 20x20cm canvasses will make the exhibition coherent.