Sometimes you just need a little help from your friends, as the old saying goes. Next month a group of overseas artists will donate original watercolours of Bermuda to a Wet Paint Auction to benefit the St Georges Foundation.

“Funds from the auction will help support the work of the St Georges Foundation,” said Kristin White, Development Director of the foundation, “as well as the ongoing management of the St George World Heritage Site and the Deliverance replica.”

The artists are from a group called World Heritage Watercolour of Rhode Island, established by architect John K Grosvenor, and author Cheryl Hackett in 2013. World Heritage Watercolor gives artists the opportunity to explore United Nations Education Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) World Heritage sites and capture the beauty and culture through plein air painting.

“This is their first tour, and they have chosen to visit Bermuda and specifically, St George’s,” said Ms White. “St George’s is hoping to attract more art groups like these and various folks in the town are really committed to this happening, so to get a group like this is a great boost for (and reinforcement of) our cultural tourism efforts.”

Mr Grosvenor and Ms Hackett will lead a group of 20 artists from the United States on a plein air tour in April. There will be a cultural exchange as local and American artists meet. The visiting artists will tour St George’s and paint significant landmarks, gardens, and seascapes. Each artist will donate an original watercolour painting to a Wet Paint Auction slated to take place at the World Heritage Centre in St George’s on April 5 at 6pm. The public is welcome to attend and all proceeds from the auction will benefit the St George’s Foundation.

Mr Grosvenor’s father, Richard Grosvenor, is a noted artist. In 1985, the elder Grosvenor established the Wet Paint Auction at the Newport Art Museum. The unique fund raising event draws hundreds of artists to Newport to paint vistas. Each artists donates their painting to a live auction. The funds raised by the Wet Paint Auction are used to maintain the Newport Art Museum’s collections and buildings and provides funding for the many educational and outreach programs made available to the community.

Mr Grosvenor is the founding partner of Northeast Collaborative Architects in Newport, Rhode Island. He began painting in 1982 and his works have been exhibited at the Providence Art Club, Rhode Island Watercolor Society, Newport Art Museum, Spring Bull Gallery, and Arnold Art. His award-winning watercolours have been featured in both American Artist and American Watercolor magazines.

Ms Hackett writes about architecture and interior design for several national magazines. She is the author of Newport Shingle Style (Frances Lincoln Publishers, Ltd. 2010). She also manages media relations, web design, branding and communications for select clients including Northeast Collaborative Architects.

Dr Edward Harris, Executive Director of the Bermuda National Museum of Bermuda will give a lecture to the visiting artists about the artwork of Dr Johnson Savage. Special guests Peter and Rosemary Savage will be in attendance. The lecture on April 5, at 3pm and the public is invited although space is limited.

The lecture is free to those attending the Wet Paint Auction in the evening and $10 for those who are not attending. The auction is also on April 5 from 6pm to 8pm at the World Heritage Centre on Penno’s Wharf in St George’s. Tickets are $20 for members and $25 for non-members. There will be music, hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. For tickets e-mail development@sgf.bm or call 297-3686.

For more information about World Heritage Watercolor and the Wet Paint Auction visit www.worldheritagewatercolor.com.