Last Saturday’s Archbishop Appeal Auction was “highly successful” in more ways than one. That’s the opinion of Jenny Lee, project coordinator of the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal.

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Lee told Catholic News last Wednesday that the Oct 1 “silent auction”, held at Archbishop’s House, came close to raising the target figure. In his message in the auction catalogue, Archbishop Gilbert wrote, “We hope tonight to raise TT$1 M to begin the work in November.” Lee did not want to divulge exact figures, but said the money raised on the night was about half the target. Of the 90 pieces of art in different media auctioned, “50% had been sold” to local and overseas buyers. The artwork was donated by several artists.

She said one of the positive aspects of the event was the response of the secular market, emphasising that the need to restore the Cathedral had crossed “religious and ethnic barriers”. The National Trust of Trinidad and Tobago has listed the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception as a national heritage site.

Lee described the response by the international market as phenomenal. Promoted through social media sites like Facebook, the auction garnered 2.9 million impressions with 1,100 hits, mainly in Europe. At the auction, Lee told media and guests that overseas registrations had been received from the Netherlands, England and Thailand. Lee believed the benefits of the auction would be seen in the months to come.

Interesting pieces

The auction, the first in a series of fundraisers, was held under the patronage of Acting President, Timothy Hamel-Smith, who attended with his wife Susanna Maria. They were escorted by the archbishop to view the pieces.

Local artists who contributed at least one piece included Sarah Beckett, Boscoe Holder, Karen de Verteuil, Lisa O’Connor, Dermot Louison, Jackie Hinkson, Lisa Bhajan, Neil Massy, Peter Soo Ping Chow and Glenn Roopchand. Some of the photographic pieces auctioned came from James Solomon, Abigail Hadeed and Dianne Agostini.

Among the artists seen mingling with patrons were Sundiata, Clayton de Freitas, Karen Sylvester and Anthony Boos. Pieces that caught the eye were Natasha the Sensuous Beauty by Harry Bryden, Compline by Sarah Beckett, Little Angels by Omowale Stewart, The Organ and the Rosary by Dermot Louison, Virgin Mary at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception by Jeremy Powell, The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception by Brian Wong Won, Humming Bird on Hibiscus by Neil Massy, and Light of the Son by Fitzroy Hoyte.

Two interesting pieces were Freeport’s Gem and Mountain View by Nigel Mark and Alladin Mohammed, respectively. Mark is an inmate at the Frederick Street prison while Mohammed is at Carrera. Mark first began painting while on Death Row, where he saw Mohammed painting. Mohammed has founded an art studio on the prison island.

Archbishop Gilbert, in a brief address, hoped the auction would “raise the consciousness” of the public concerning the restoration of the Cathedral. Lee confirmed that the first of eight phases of restoration work will begin in November. This first phase will cost $15M. For updates and information on the Appeal, as well as how to make a donation, visit www.rcposappeal.org. The website is being revamped to highlight areas of the cathedral in dire need of restoration. – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it