On a warm evening a few days before Christmas the 4 star dusit D2 baraquda pattaya was the location for a charity art auction to raise funds for the Father Ray Foundation.
A gathering of local and expat art aficionados arrived and it was obvious many were surprised at the level of talent that was on show.
The fifteen lots available for sale were all painted by the children residing at the Father Ray Children’s Home and the evening showcased their talents.
Paintings of landscapes and animals were displayed alongside portraits and once the auctioneer offered each canvas to the audience it was just a matter of seconds before the prices soared.
Even the chef at the Dusit D2 made a bid and won.
The highest price paid for one picture was three thousand baht for a portrait of HM the King and it was a very surprised artist who presented the portrait to its new owner. A look of surprise was seen on the faces of all the artists as they watched the crowd bidding for their work and seeing just how many people were interested in what they had produced and for how much it was selling for.
The fifteen paintings raised a total of thirty five thousand baht and another twenty thousand baht was donated by Bang-on Jansanthai of Sayama Travel. A further five thousand baht was donated by a member of the US military who was departing the hotel as the auction was about to start, making his way back to Bagram Airbase in Afghanistan.
The first sale of the evening.
Father Peter Pattarapong, president of the Father Ray Foundation, gave the closing speech before the young girls from the Father Ray Children’s Home performed a traditional Thai dance. This was followed by the children singing a selection of Christmas carols for the audience and wishing everyone a very merry Christmas.
Nick Bauer, general manager of the dusit D2 baraquda pattaya said, “We all know that Christmas is all about giving warmth, love and hope. With that philosophy in mind, this year we wanted to share our love with those children who are less fortunate by supporting a local foundation which is close to their hearts. We hope this project will be the first joint-campaign between hotel and the foundation of many more to come.”
More information can be found at www.fr-ray.org or email [email protected]
This portrait of HM the King sold for 3000 baht.
Young artist Weerapat Maettaneesakhudee (right), shown here presenting one of his paintings to high bidder, Nova Platinum Hotel General Manager David Leslie Roberts, produced more than half the canvases which were auctioned.
The children sing a selection of Christmas carols for the audience to wish everyone a very merry Christmas.
