TAKE your time, peruse and think about food is what The Ballarat Foundation hopes you might do.
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Under the atrium in The Gallery Restuarant at Craig’s Royal Hotel, there are 11 high-end art pieces on display with an important purpose. Each one will be put to auction this week to support the city’s #Foodbank appeal, working to create a community pantry to feed Ballarat’s most hungry and vulnerable people.
The Ballarat Foundation fundraising coordinator Margo Pettit wanted this bid to be special. Ms Pettit made a list of the region’s established artists and set a goal to secure 10 high-quality pieces.
Starting from the top of her list, Ms Pettit was surprised the first 10 artists agreed. For many, food security was an issue close to their hearts and personal experience.
Pieces will be auctioned, selling for nothing below reserve price, in a near-sold out gala dinner Art for a Cause at Craig’s on Thursday night.
Art for a Cause will bring together and showcase this visual art with food as art under direction from prominent chef Ian Curley who plans to “French it up” in creating a grand dining experience.
A performing arts element will draw on past Ballarat Arts Foundation scholarship recipient Laura Burzacott will liven up the evening with her A capella quartet Ginger and Tonic.
Proceeds from the event will go to The Ballarat Foundation’s work in creating social change with charities across the region. But the auction is specifically to support Foodbank.
Not-for-profit organisation Foodbank is working to launch its first food distribution centre in regional Victoria for Ballarat. Foodbank acts as a link between food industry’s surplus food and welfare sector needs.
A Ballarat Community Health report, in partnership with Monash University, reveals 12 per cent of the Ballarat population experiences food insecurity.
Art work for auction is on display at Craig’s, which is also accepting early bids. Ms Pettit hoped the art would spark food for thought among those looking to add meaning to an empty wall space.
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