DLeading British artists are supporting Pictures for The Beehive, an exhibition of contemporary art which will be followed by an auction raising funds for Diverse Abilities’ Splash Appeal.

The exhibition, which includes works by Catherine Goodman, Antony Gormley, and Maggi Hambling, will take place at St. Giles House, Wimborne St. Giles, on Tuesday, September 21, and Wednesday, September 22, from 11am until 3pm.

This exhibit offers a rare opportunity to visit St. Giles House, Dorset, home of the Earl of Shaftesbury, to view a collection of art not often seen in Dorset.

In recent years the Earl and Countess have embarked on an award-winning restoration of the house. The exhibition will take place in the Great Dining Room, where bare brick joins the elaborate plasterwork of its 17th Century ceiling, and the auction will be held in the Library of St. Giles House on Thursday, September 23.

A total of 28 artists have donated works to the collection including Charles Avery, Geoffrey Dashwood, Catherine Goodman, Antony Gormley, Polly Penrose, Stuart Semple, and Amy Shuckburgh.

Alongside the donated works will be drawings of the adults who attend The Beehive, a therapy and activity centre run by Dorset charity Diverse Abilities, drawn by Henrietta Young and some of the other contributing artists.

All the donated pieces will be available to buy at auction following a ticketed Private View hosted by the Earl and Countess on Thursday, September 23, from 6.30pm. The work will be auctioned by Guy Schwinge of Duke’s Auctioneers.

Visit www.picturesforthebeehive.org.uk for further details about the exhibition, and for details of how to purchase tickets to the private view and auction.