fp Turks and Caicos

Culture was brought to the forefront this month by when The Somerset Resort on Grace Bay held a special art display and charity auction, ‘Art on the Lawn’, which raised over $3,000 for the Turks & Caicos Red Cross. The evening which began with cocktails on the resort’s Croquet Lawn, allowed guests to view over fifty pieces of alluring art in this elegant and relaxed setting. Dinner was then served in the O’Soleil restaurant and the charity art auction, hosted by Hugh O’Neill, followed on the Croquet Lawn.

A selection of art was donated or part-donated, from both local and, international artists with links to the TCI. The type of art being auctioned ranged from a prints of original artwork and photography to oil paintings, hand crafted jewelry and metal art. Some of the local names included Amiel Cartwright and Phillip Outten and there were several donations from galleries Art Provo and Bruno Fine Art.
Karen Whitt, General Manager of The Somerset Resort was delighted with the evening which attracted local residents and tourists alike. “We’ve held similar events to this in the past and we’ve found that the environment at The Somerset, and specifically The Croquet Lawn is the perfect backdrop for an art event such as this.  We’re a great supporter of the Red Cross and all of the work they do to help the most vulnerable parts of the community, so they were a natural choice as recipients for the fundraiser”.

Linda Sweeney Director of the Turks & Caicos Red Cross was thrilled to receive the donation on behalf of the charity, “We were excited to hear that The Somerset was organizing one of their special events and that we would benefit from the function.  As we speak our team of volunteers based in our islands are working hard on recovery projects in affected areas from hurricane Ike and driving forward a preparedness campaign for the 2009 hurricane season so the donation couldn’t have come at a better time. It’s support from companies such as The Somerset that enables us to continue raising awareness in the community and helping those most vulnerable in times of a crisis. We’re extremely appreciative to The Somerset for their support and kind donation and congratulate them on a fantastic event”.
This type of event bring together the best of both worlds, highlighting local talent in the art community as well as helping to raise money and awareness for an important local charity.  We at the “fp” offer our thanks to the Somerset as well as the following people and organizations for helping us in that goal. As we move forward in this period of history in the world and specifically in the Turks and Caicos, culture and community will play an important role in preserving integrity.

Special thanks to Sky Juice and the DECR and to the artists: Amiel Cartwright, Phillp Outten, Alex Skye, Chrystel Loyer, Graham Weinroth, Stacie Steensland, Betty Ludington, Alicia Shulman. And also a special thanks to the galleries and other individuals involved, Bruno Fine Art, Art Provo, Bamboo Gallery, Paulette Joel and Rachel Phillips.