Children who benefit from an autism programme were among the artists to showcase their work at a fundraising event on International Women’s Day.

Young people linked to Tomorrow’s Voices — Bermuda Autism Early Intervention Centre featured in an exhibition hosted by the International Women’s Club last week.

The group’s annual art auction was held at the Chubb Gallery in Hamilton on Friday to coincide with other activities throughout the island and across the world.

Louise Foden-Pattinson, the IWC’s philanthropy chairwoman, said works were created by members and others.

She explained: “It is a wonderful way for the artists among the IWC to show off their work, some of them have never painted prior to coming to live on Bermuda, and we were also delighted to have pieces donated by local artists and friends of the IWC.”

She explained that the club chooses annually to support two charities and this year they were Tomorrow’s Voices, which provides behavioural interventions for children with autism and other developmental delays, and Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art.

Ms Foden-Pattinson said the two organisations “play a vital role” within the island.

The exhibition was attended by John Rankin, the Governor, Lovitta Foggo, the Minister of Labour, Community Affairs and Sport, and the US Consul General Constance Dierman.

Tom Butterfield, the founder and creative director of Masterworks, took up the role of auctioneer.

Ms Foden-Pattinson said the event was always scheduled for the Friday closest to International Women’s Day, which this year had the theme of “Balance for Better” — a call for gender equality.

She added: “At the IWC we’ve got in excess of 250 members from all over the world and it’s about bringing together a bunch of women who arrive on the island not knowing anyone, not knowing how it works and we introduce them to people — every day of the week there’s an activity they can do.”