ART lovers are invited to bid on a selection of artwork from local and national artists to raise money for Musgrove Park Hospital’s Art for Life programme.

The hospital’s art and design programme, Art for Life, supports the creation of high quality interior and exterior spaces within the hospital, achieving a calm environment for patients, visitors and staff.

It has worked in partnership with many local colleges and voluntary and third sector organisations to develop over 600 pieces of art, displayed at locations around the hospital. It also organises exhibitions, relaxing musical performances and opportunities for participatory workshops for patients, visitors and staff.

Art for Life is holding the art auction, called Art on the Block, on Tuesday, May 24, from 6pm, at the hospital’s Beacon Centre, which provides cancer treatment to people living in Somerset and the surrounding area.

Tickets to attend the auction cost £8 and include canapes and drinks. They are on sale at Musgrove’s general office, via e-mail artforlife@tst.nhs.uk or telephone 01823-342488.

The auction will feature more than 90 original artworks ranging from drawings, paintings and prints, to glass work, collages and sculptures.

See all the artworks online and make a bid ahead of the auction at www.artforlife.nhs.uk/art-on-the-block-2016/gallery-1/.#

Lisa Harty, Art and Design Coordinator for Art for Life, said: “We are very proud of this extremely successful event and appreciate the huge support we have had from artists who donate their work.

“I’d like to encourage as many people as possible to visit the website to view the magnificent art created by talented local, regional and national artists.

“We know it can be a difficult time for patients when they are in hospital, and for those close to them who visit; we hope the array of artwork evident around Musgrove goes a small way to improving people’s wellbeing during this time.

“Recently we have been working with the hospital’s care of the elderly wards and dementia team to use art in helping patients identify their own bay and bed through colour and imagery. Patients on Gould Ward have benefitted from this approach, and we now plan to roll it out in other areas.”