As the British Prime Minster went on TV to announce more Covid doom and gloom, Art for Youth Mall Galleries returns to London just a stone’s throw from Buckingham Palace and Downing Street.
Art for Youth is an annual private view which appears to thrive away from from Instagram influencers and red carpet goers.
But the gathering is a super social crowd and they know what they want on their walls: beautiful art…
Still, the galleries weren’t as full as previously but what matters is people’s purchase power and selling art for a good cause while raising awareness of young talent.
And the paintings were indeed flying off the wall. Little suprise, the edit really is terrific, a super high standard.
Pieces include pretty oils on bords, eye catching photography of animals and nature and charming pieces of ceramics plus much more. To call the selection commercial would be fair, but beautifully so.
The evening starts with drinks and socialising while the more serious buyers scour the different rooms in the Mall Galleries for pieces to buy. (See also our blog post on how to shop for art at a private view here). An hour later London auctioneer and consultant Nicholas Bonham, whose family founded Bonhams auctioneers, kicks off with his famously lively auction of special items.
Bonhams now has a flagship salesroom in Bond Street, but it, and Nick Bonham, have been part of London’s social fabric for years and help pull in the crowds.
Over £1m raised for young people as Art for Youth Mall Galleries returns following lockdown
The event is super social. Art for Youth which has been going since 1988 has raised over £1.5 million to helping young people aged 9-25 in need, due to either social or personal barriers. In addition to holding social sales evenings, organisers also sell online where even more money is raised.
Tickets to the events are unusually modestly priced. While other fundraisers can cost hundreds or thousands of pounds or dollars per ticket, Art for Youth is a bargain £20 for entry to the opening Private View evening. On top of that, there isn’t a TikTokker in sight (yet).
