Harwich Mayor calls on business leaders to ink their name in local folklore at charity auction
21st September 2021
A piece of Harwich art history goes up for auction this week and The Mayor of Harwich, Cllr Ivan Henderson, has called on local businesses to ensure it delivers a legacy for community projects in the area.
The Mayor wants a young Harwich artist’s Octopus Ahoy! sculpture to raise huge funds in support of local charities, voluntary organisations and community groups working in Harwich and Dovercourt.
‘Octavious’, (pictured below) designed and painted by Harwich teenager, Alana Fensom, 18, goes under than hammer for charity at Le Talbooth on Thursday 23rd September, with proceeds going to the Harwich Mayflower Legacy Fund managed by Essex Community Foundation, and the Tendring Community Fund. Alana, just 17 when she entered the artwork to be part of the public art trail, is the youngest person ever with a project of this kind and Mayor Ivan Henderson wants her sculpture to secure a legacy and remain in the town, saying:
“It seems only right that Alana’s artwork stays in the town and creates a legacy in her town and surrounding areas. We can make sure that funds raised at auction can go towards helping local children and young people become involved and make a positive contribution to the community in which she grew up through the Harwich Mayflower Legacy Fund and other projects.
“I call on all Harwich businesses, who want to play their part in supporting causes in our wonderful town, to dig deep to make sure the fantastic Octopus Ahoy! Art trail creates a legacy for our town and residents can enjoy Alana’s sculpture for generations to come.”
Alana Fensom, said: “It was just incredible to part of the Octopus Ahoy! art trail and have thousands of people enjoying my work. To think that ‘Octavius’, which was shaped by my upbringing in Harwich, could possibly go to helping other local young people in the town is simply overwhelming and better than I could have imagined. I’d love to see it donated back to the town so local people can enjoy it and remember the joy the trail bought to so many.”
Art lovers can find out more about the event, view each of the sculptures available online bidding and book a ticket for the live auction here.
