Bright pink pig bookends and a large rug made from teddy bears are two of the more unusual items that have already been entered into a charity’s summer upcycling challenge.
There’s just one month left to get your entry form submitted for the Great Harbour Gallery Jersey Upcycling Challenge – though you can still work on your piece until early October.
In the challenge, Islanders are invited to buy an item from Acorn Reuse in Trinity which they can then upcycle or repurpose. This could be anything from furniture to fashion.
The challenge will culminate in a silent auction in October and will be judged by Adrian Higham and his wife Tara Franklin of Hoof Brocante UK and Tara Franklin Antiques. Adi is best known as being one of the antique experts on the popular BBC1 TV series The Bidding Room. During their stay in Jersey, they will visit Acorn Reuse and Tara, an expert in French vintage fabrics, will give an evening talk in the chapel at Beaulieu.
Harbour Gallery managing director Pat Robson said: ‘Acorn has an enormous variety of goods for sale from furniture, clothes, household goods and toys. Almost anything can be given a second lease of life. There’s some great work coming in already but we are keen that we get as much variety as possible, of any shape or size.
“Adrian Higham and Tara Franklin will be here for four days and we are delighted to have such a wonderfully interesting couple to work with us and to be able to show them how much great work goes on in our island.”
Adults will be asked to pay a £5 entry fee to cover costs, but school entries (11-18 inclusive) will be free. There will be awards for the most inventive and wonderful piece in each age category, kindly provided by the Co-op. The challenge also has the support of Decorare at Miladi Parade, Longueville, who are giving 10% discount on any paint bought for this event.
In October the challenge will culminate in an exhibition of the items and a silent auction at The Harbour Gallery in St Aubin. 50% of the sales will go back to the upcycler and 50% will go back to Acorn, which helps people who have a disability or long-term health condition with work and training opportunities.
The silent auction on 12 October, sponsored by Abaris Chartered Accountants and Cavendish Fiduciary (Jersey), will be opened by the Harbour Gallery’s Patron Lady Dalton and her husband the Lieutenant-Governor Sir Stephen Dalton.
Entry forms are available from the Harbour Gallery, Acorn Reuse, or can be downloaded from either charity’s Facebook page. Entry forms should be submitted by 12th September.
