The countdown is under way to Art Fair Cheshire which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.
The biennial event in aid of East Cheshire Hospice runs from Thursday Sept 26 until Thursday Oct 3 at Macclesfield Town Hall.
The exhibition, sponsored by AstraZeneca, will showcase work from more than 50 artists who donate a percentage of sales to the Hospice.
Art Fair Cheshire is looking for volunteers to help run the exhibition which has raised around £450,000 for the Hospice.
They will continue the good work started by grandmother Anna Rains who had the idea for an art exhibition.
Volunteer Anna Rains who helped inspire Art Fair Cheshire.
Back in 1998, she chaired a fundraising appeal to mark the Hospice’s 10th anniversary.
The dedication of Anna and her fellow pioneers provided the financial help to build the Sunflower Centre which remains an important hub for patient care.
Indeed, it was fitting that Anna and her original fundraisers attended the reopening of the refurbished centre a few weeks ago.
Their vision and drive provided the inspiration for the initial project with the art exhibition a key fundraiser.
This year’s displays will be organised in-house by the Hospice after previous co-chairs Georgie Johnson and Steven Dalton stepped aside after running the last two exhibitions on a voluntary basis.
Hospice Community and Events Fundraiser Claire Gorton said: “Georgie and Steven did a wonderful job with the support of volunteers and we’re so grateful to them all.
Macclesfield artist Francesca de Campora with her work at Art Fair Cheshire.
“Art Fair Cheshire has established a superb reputation and our aim is to build on that success. We want to organise a unique event which showcases art and celebrates community and giving.
“We want to further strengthen its links to the Hospice and what is happening here, including involving our Memory Tree unveiled last year.
“In addition to a fantastic exhibition, we’ll have a pop up café, artist tours and talks. Artists of all ages will hopefully take part, including school and college students.
Visitors enjoy works of art at the last exhibition in 2022.
”The Assembly Gallery will feature original art and sculptures, while the Capesthorne Gallery will exhibit jewellery, photography, glassware, ceramics, millinery, willow weaving as well as paintings and prints.
“We want it to be accessible and will need plenty of volunteers to get involved with the many different aspects of such a large project.”
The event is open from 10.30 am until 4 pm each day. For more details and to find out how to exhibit or volunteer visit www.theartfair.org.uk