minerva after fund raising auction

The Art Project Minerva, created by respected London-based artists Blandine Martin and Magdalena Rutkowska, has raise nearly £5000 through an organised auction of artwork at the Italian Institute of Culture in London Belgravia.

The purpose of the auction was to raise money to assist in the renovation of one of the most famous churches of the L'Aquila region, "Di Santa Maria del Suffragio".

Many churches and buildings in the medieval city of L'Aquila were destroyed in the devastating earthquake of 6 April 2009 causing incalculable damage to Italy's culture heritage. The dome of the Santa Maria del Suffragio cracked open, exposing the delicate gold patterns inside.

The auction on 2 July 2009 featured work donated by artists from L'Aquila and internationally. The auction was run by Bloomsbury Auction House. There were around 300 hundred guests, many of whom took advantage of the opportunity to buy work at a fraction of its usual price and by doing so helped to boost the total raised.

"Our auction was a great success," said Magdalena and Blandine. "We have had an overwhelming response from people keen to help, from artists donating their work and buyers attending the event.

"At the moment we are working on preparation for the next event which will take place in Venice, followed by a similar event in Paris and possibly New York. We strongly believe that with the kind support we have enjoyed so far we will be able to provide help to restore the Di Santa Maria Del Suffragio church, an important symbol of art and culture for many generations in L'Aquila."

The guests attending the 2 July auction included:
Roberto Schneider-press corespondent Italian embassy
Rossana Pittelli-art expert Italian Institute
Lord Simon Clanmorris
Cindy Jackson
Lady Belhaven&stenton
Polish Consul Jakub zaborowski
Kulvinder Ghir actor and comedian
Michele Celeste poet and play writer
Jack Vettriano popular photographer
and many many others..