The F.S. Furbert Charity Auction 2008 will feature work from some of the Island's top artisans.

Among those donating work are acclaimed artist Sharon Wilson, who has donated her piece 'Bride And Attendant', as well as Gail Palacio, Lisa Quinn-Brown, Vernon Clarke and many others.

Along with the above, there are over 40 artists and too many Berkeley Institute students to mention adding to the wares for the auction which is named for a popular former Berkeley principal of 30 years.

This weekend the Berkeley Foundation is celebrating and raising funds with the F.S. Charity Auction 2008 and Breakfast with the Arts, which runs from 8.30 a.m. to noon in the Berkeley Atrium.

One of the organisers, Maxine Esdaille, spoke to The Royal Gazette about some of the artists, the Foundation and its purpose, while artist Sharon Wilson spoke about the piece she was donating.

"The Berkeley Foundation is a Bermuda-based fundraising charity, which has been established to support the Berkeley Foundation's Board of Directors' vision of creating growth and development opportunities for The Berkeley Institute," explained Ms Esdaille.

"Achievement of the Board's vision will necessitate the optimum utilisation of alumni skills, knowledge and abilities, thereby further uniting the Berkeley Family in its ongoing work to grow the school's rich legacy."

The F.S. Furbert Charity Auction has been a major fundraising event for the Foundation for two years.

"The first auction, which was held in the Berkeley Atrium raised more than $15,000, " she said.

"A variety of items were auctioned off — from cedar benches to a stainless steel barbeque to a Grand Slam Golf packet, which included a stay at the Fairmont Southampton Princess, and tickets to the Grand Slam at the Mid Ocean Club.

"This year's Auction will take place on June 14, and will be held in the Berkeley Institute Atrium. This year's theme is 'Breakfast with the Arts' and all the items will be two-dimensional artworks donated by some of Bermuda's finest established and up and coming artists."

She added. "Submissions were sought from three separate groups of artists. Alumnae artists including Joan Forbes, Frances Furbert and E. Michael Jones. Community artists including Bill 'Mussy' Ming and Sharon Wilson. And student artists featuring a number of present students and recent past students."

Of the piece she has donated, Ms Wilson said: "It is a very intimate story of a bride being attended to by her maid," said the artist.

"It is beautifully framed and I have high hopes that the bidding will be enthusiastic.

"Although Berkeley Institute is not my Alma Mata, Whitney Institute is, but there is no doubt that the Berkeley Institute has played a significant role in Bermuda's history.

"I am honoured to have been asked to participate. The concept of art auctions is growing and it's certainly with great anticipation that I look forward to this event."

Ms Esdaille said the auction will be an affair to remember.

"The event will be one of a kind — a champagne breakfast followed by the Art Auction of the Year," she said.

"Our two auctioneers will be Charles Jeffers, who was last year's auctioneer, who will be joined this year by Alan Cooper."

As one of the Foundation's main fundraising events the goal of the auction is to raise funds and to support programmes and initiatives.

"This year we have an additional incentive, as our patron, Eloise Furbert, wife of F.S. Furbert, has asked that the opportunity to start a scholarship for a student interested in the arts be considered," she said. "We support this idea and will set up specific portions of the event to support this venture.

"For example, money from the registration/entry fee will go directly to this fund. In addition we will be having a raffle $2 each and money from this activity will also go to the scholarship fund. The Foundation will discuss other ways to support the scholarship."

Tickets, which include auction, registration and breakfast, are $25.