ArtyFarty a group of local artists from Charnwood have launched an online art auction to help raise funds for the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust Meadows Appeal.

The 'Art for Meadows Auction' is a selection of original and beautiful hand-crafted pieces of art all inspired by local meadows.

Kate Moore member of ArtyFarty and the LRWT Charnwood Local Group says;

"We are a group of friends in Charnwood with a passion for art. Our focus is on sharing ideas, interests, skills and enthusiasms. We take our art more seriously than ourselves – hence the name ArtyFarty.  During the past 5 years, we have involved ourselves in a variety of projects.

A majority of us are members of the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust. Each of us stimulated and motivated by its land, flora and fauna, and its environmental ethos. With this in mind, we have created artworks, including paintings, ceramics and glass, that are inspired by local meadows. These are being auctioned to support the Trust's appeal to raise money to purchase and protect a meadow within the Charnwood Forest."

The Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust Meadows Appeal is asking supporters to help raise £150,000 to purchase a threatened meadow in the Charnwood Forest. The Charnwood Forest meadow is rich in wildflowers including marsh thistle, milkwort and betony. A wealth of moths and butterflies have been recorded on the site including burnet moths, antler moths, ringlet butterflies and small skipper butterflies. If LRWT can acquire this meadow, it will expand their work and ensure the land is protected for wildlife for now and for the future.

Kate says; "We cannot risk losing any more precious wildflower meadows in our landscape; they are a vital habitat for many species but are rapidly being lost. We are asking people to enter their bid generously for our art pieces in the knowledge that the money will help to save this special meadow for wildlife." 

The Art for Meadows Auction is now open and will close at 12.00, midday, on Sunday 14th March. Click the link below to view each individual piece, with details including size, materials and artist’s name.

Go to the auction