Awesome Exhibit of Celtic Art
Bi-lingual Gaelic and English greeting card by George Bain. Photo © National Galleries of Scotland
Do you love Celtic art? Then this is the show for you! Our supported charity, The National Galleries of Scotland, recently opened a fascinating new exhibition, George Bain: Master of Celtic Art. The exhibit features the work of George Bain (1881-1968), the Scottish artist often referred to as the “father of modern Celtic design.”
Celtic patterns and themes have become hugely popular worldwide, with examples of the intricate knots and stylised images appearing in everything from textiles to tattoos. George Bain is one of the main drivers of the revival of Celtic art in the 20th century.
The Centre Is Where The Heart Is
Last week, Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres opened their eighth UK centre. As one of three new centres set to open before the end of the year – and with another two in the pipeline – what is it that makes Maggie’s Centres so successful?
The answer is clear the minute you walk through the door. If ever a building could live and breathe an ethos, then Maggie’s Centres have achieved it. Their centres aren’t about cancer – visitors aren’t greeted by that ‘hospital smell’, they’re greeted by people.
This is exactly what Maggie’s Cancer Centres are about; the people using their centres are at the heart of its design and its general running. They integrate professional help with a community of support in thoughtfully designed centres.
In fact, every single Maggie’s Centre is individually designed using cutting-edge architects. Each design brief is focused on awe inspiring architecture that works; how people will use the centre is the most important feature. So, large open spaces, useful for yoga sessions for example, are contrasted with smaller ‘snugs’ for more personal sessions or meetings.
Central to all of the Maggie’s Centres is the kitchen, which is what most centres lead directly into. And just like in a house, the kitchen is at the heart of the centre; it’s a place where people can chat over a cuppa, enjoy wholesome, nutritious food and catch up with what everyone else has been up to.
And it’s not just cancer patients that can make the most of the centres and their services. What also sets Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres apart from other facilities is how they welcome everyone affected by cancer; empowering the sufferers includes helping their families and support networks, and anyone who requires advice about cancer is heartily welcomed at the centres.
But creating these havens of peace and tranquillity cannot be realised without the help and support of volunteers and fantastic donations. And you can make a difference today, by supporting the new Aberdeen and Lanarkshire centres, which are both raising vital funds to bring their project to life.
If you would like to volunteer at a Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre, please visit their website for your nearest centre and more information on how your time can make a real difference.
The Role of Charity Ambassadors
Nowadays, using a celebrity face to front a charity is a given, with celebrities chomping at the bit to be a charitable organisation’s ambassador. Yet, with a host of household names at their fingertips, the obvious question is what value do these relationships have and are they a key ingredient to the success of a modern-day charity?
In a world where celebrity talks, the obvious answer is yes they are. The media has never been more celebrity focused and using a popular face to front a project can more often than not guarantee column inches.
Their creativity and appeal can transform a campaign and allow a charitable organisation to reach audiences they could not have reached without their support. Charities are often guilty of ‘preaching to the converted’ and bringing a celebrity profile into the mix can open new doors to different audiences. In exceptional cases, such as Bob Geldof’s Band Aid, they can even be the real driving force behind a project.
Yet, many remain sceptical about a celebrity’s real intentions. Is it simply a gimmick and what are they hoping for at the end? Like with any other aspect of the charity, choosing a celebrity ambassador wisely is important. Popular figures with a genuine interest in the sector, either through their profession or for personal reasons, are more likely to stay with a charity. Their natural affinity to the cause resounds with the public and, from a purely commercial view point, they are more likely to keep ‘on message’.
The need to reach and inspire bigger audiences, year on year, arguably requires the pulling power of a celebrity, and can charities really afford not to use celebrities to promote their cause?
