Commencing in 2017, Art of Wishes has held four Galas to date, collaborating with over 50 artists and raised over £8 million. This year, Jussi Pylkkänen will conduct the live auction of artwork, generously donated by artists and galleries. World-renowned artists such as Tracey Emin, Gillian Wearing, Jenny Saville, Georg Baselitz, Michael Landy, Peter Doig, Anish Kapoor and Bharti Kher are among those who have worked with us and this year, we hope to bring many more artists on board.
The Gala was conceived originally by our founder, Batia Ofer, who wanted to bring together her love of art with her passion for helping others. The money raised through the live auction goes directly to Make-A-Wish UK — the charity which grants wishes for children living with critical illnesses. As of now, around 63,000 children in the UK are eligible for a wish because they have a life-limiting or life-threatening condition. From the moment they are diagnosed, the simple pleasures of childhood and family life are replaced by worry, disruption, medical appointments, financial worries and isolation. Make-A-Wish UK provides joy, happiness and light through granting life-changing wishes that provide both the child and the supporting family with priceless and magical memories that last forever, and that ease these worries and anxieties, if only for a little while.
So far, Art of Wishes has raised enough money to grant over 3,000 of these wishes, changing the lives of countless children and their families. We are hoping that the Art of Wishes Gala 2023 will be the biggest one yet!
Exciting plans are in the works for this year. If you would like to keep updated on new announcements, make sure to follow us on Instagram, or sign up to our newsletter.