Art contest exhibition winners announced
Covid-19 has changed the way all of us do things - and for us that means we have had to move the annual Art Competition Exhibition online!
The Art Competition Exhibition was first held in 2018 and has been normally exhibited in the Hampstead School of Art, London.
The 2021 project was funded by the National Lottery Community Fund grant so that Geraldine Crimmins, who was also a past photographer and vendor and co-organiser of the last Art Competition Exhibition (ACE). could also run a mentoring art mentoring at the same time during the pandemic.
Geraldine said: "I am delighted to see the high stand of entries to the Cafe Art 3rd art competition. We are committed to supporting our members to use art as a means of expression and a tool to enhance their lives. A big shout out to the judges, St Mungo's, 240 Project, Crisis and Thames Reach hostels and Hampstead School of Art!"
The judges were: Isabel Langtry (Principal of Hampstead School of Art), Jimmy Lek (Founder of Art Gemini Prize and PhotoX) and Jane Oakley (New Pictures Specialist, Sworders Fine Auction House)
Geraldine, who is a trained counsellor who has experienced homelessness, has been successful in connecting with many people who are still homeless or have recently been homeless. She connects with people who might not be being helped by other homelessness support services. The grant helped clients retain connections with the wider community via phone or the internet as the grant covers people's phone top ups to ensure that.
Cafe Art decided not to take a penny in administration fees from this grant - spending money saved on helping more people affected by homelessness directly, including buying art packs for more homeless artists.
Geraldine connected with many vulnerable artists, not only speaking to them regularly, but helping them with their art by providing art packs. The 2021 online art contest exhibition attracted more than 40 entries. Prize money of £20 each will be paid to the to remaining 37 artists from the grant money.