WILDLIFE paintings and photographs, a peace mandala made up of tiny hearts, and evocative sea, land and cityscapes are whisking their way around the county in a series of free exhibitions with a purpose.

The Big Heart Art Crawl will see dozens of artworks displayed in social spaces, galleries, a shop and a church before being auctioned off on eBay to raise money for Longfield.

Hundreds of colourful, thought-provoking and just plain lovely pieces have been donated to the annual event by famous comedians and illustrators, professional and amateur artists, sculptors and even children.

A novel-reading dog by children’s book illustrator Martha Lightfoot, hares and lions by Cirencester artist Sian Defferary, a cat sitting in a bed of flowers by Stroud artist Sian Summerhayes, a heart-shaped collage of stamps by Rachel Markwick, and pretty papercut quotes by graphic designer Jemma Boucher will sit alongside signed doodles from famous funny fellows Miranda Hart and Matt Lucas and a giving tree picture by Backstreet Boys singer Nick Carter.

Every year Longfield supports 900 people across Gloucestershire who are living with life limiting illnesses. The money from the auction will fund its community-based art therapy sessions.

A selection of pieces will be shown at St John the Baptist church in Cirencester from November 1-11, Stroud’s Museum in the Park on November 11 and 12, Under the Edge Arts Centre in Wotton-under-Edge on November 18 and 19 and the new Longfield shop in Northgate Street, Gloucester.

The entire collection will then go on show at Longfield’s base in Minchinhampton from November 28-30 where there will be a final bidding party on the last evening.

Sneak peeks of the pieces can be seen on Instagram @longfield_care and the charity’s Facebook page.

  • The online auction begins on November 20. Visit longfield.org.uk/Event/artcrawl to find event details and the link to the eBay shop.