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Born from love. Inspired by art. Created to give back. The personal story behind Art of Giving, founded in 2009 by Tracey Bambrough.
Born from love. Inspired by art. Created to give back.
Sometimes, the most meaningful things in life begin during our most difficult moments.
Art of Giving was founded in 2009 by Tracey Bambrough, following the loss of her beloved mother.
For Tracey, her mum wasn't simply a parent. She was her best friend. Alongside her father, she had been one of the most important people in her life.
Losing her left an enormous space that nothing could quite fill.
It was a time that made Tracey stop, reflect and think deeply about life, the people we love and what truly matters.
Having been fortunate enough to grow up with two incredible parents, she felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the love and happiness they had given her.
And from that gratitude came a desire to give something back.
Finding beauty and meaning through art
Art had always held a special place in Tracey's heart.
She loved visiting galleries, discovering beautiful paintings and sculptures, and even trying her hand at creating artwork herself.
There was something wonderfully calming about art. The ability to lose yourself in a painting, to pause for a moment, to let your mind wander and to experience the beauty of something another person had created.
It was this love of art, combined with her desire to support others, that sparked an idea.
What if a beautiful piece of art could give twice?
First, through the happiness it brought to the person who owned it.
And second, through the difference it could make to someone else's life.
A painting hanging on a wall could be so much more than something beautiful to look at.
It could carry a story of generosity.
It could be a reminder that, simply by choosing that artwork, someone had helped support a charitable cause.
And every time its owner looked at it, they could enjoy not only its beauty but also the knowledge that it had helped make a difference.
That was the idea behind Art of Giving.
Where beauty meets purpose
Founded in 2009, Art of Giving was created to bring together artists, collectors, charities and supporters through a shared appreciation of creativity and generosity.
The vision was simple: to celebrate extraordinary art while creating opportunities to raise funds and awareness for charitable causes.
Art of Giving would also provide a platform for emerging artists to showcase their talent alongside established and internationally renowned names.
It was about creating something positive, meaningful and lasting.
Something that celebrated life, creativity and the joy of giving.
From a personal idea to the Saatchi Gallery
In October 2010, that vision came to life through a landmark exhibition at London's prestigious Saatchi Gallery.
Over two public exhibition days, approximately 9,000 visitors came together to celebrate art, music and charitable giving.
The event featured internationally renowned and celebrity artists alongside emerging talent selected through an art competition judged by celebrated artist Christian Furr and internationally renowned photographer Terry O'Neill, with Vic Reeves also involved in the judging.
A charity auction conducted by Lord Jeffrey Archer included a Banksy artwork originally painted on the exterior wall of Moorfields Eye Hospital, offered to raise funds for eye research.
With the support of artists, photographers, musicians, collectors, volunteers and charitable organisations, Art of Giving became a celebration of what could happen when creativity and generosity came together.
It was an extraordinary chapter in a story that had begun with a deeply personal wish to give something back.
Discover the Saatchi Gallery 2010 exhibition
The heart of Art of Giving remains the same
Today, Art of Giving continues to be inspired by the same values on which it was founded.
A love of art.
A belief in kindness and generosity.
A desire to champion creativity and support talented artists.
And the knowledge that even the smallest act of giving can make a meaningful difference.
Because when someone chooses a piece of art that supports a charitable cause, they are receiving something rather special.
Something beautiful to treasure.
Something that can bring joy for years to come.
And something that carries the wonderful knowledge that it has helped someone else.
That's the beauty of Art of Giving.
Where Beauty Meets Purpose.
A personal note from our founder
"I was incredibly lucky to have two wonderful parents, and my mum was also my best friend. When I lost her, it left an enormous gap in my life and made me think about what really mattered.
I've always loved art. I find it incredibly calming, whether I'm looking at something beautiful or attempting to create something myself.
I wanted to bring that love of art together with my desire to give back.
The thought that someone could have a beautiful piece of artwork on their wall, enjoy it every day and also know that it had helped make a difference to someone else's life felt incredibly special to me.
That's why I created Art of Giving.
For me, it's about creating something beautiful that has an even more beautiful purpose."
Tracey Bambrough
Founder, Art of Giving