Dear All

Hertfordshire County Council has now sold at auction 152 artworks by significant British artists from the Schools Art Loan Collection. 

These could have benefitted Hertfordshire culturally, educationally, commercially, increased visitor numbers, etc  – instead they’ve been sold to collectors and dealers across the UK and overseas. 

Another 300 works are due to be sold through two further auctions in April and May.

However, although 152 works have been sold and 112 gifted, nearly 1,400 artworks still remain. 

So the remaining Schools Loan Collection could be kept and used in new ways – through an arts organisation in Hertfordshire or through a Trust. 

If further artworks are sold or gifted from the Schools Loan Collection, then its integrity, story and art historical value will be lost. 

The Council is obliged to adhere to national guidelines on the disposal of art, so the sale proceeds should only be used on the remaining collection.

The first auction has raised the funds the Council said it needed to conserve and look after the 167 works it will retain. 

There is therefore no ethical justification for the sale of further artworks.

So we have asked the Council to halt further sales and engage in dialogue to secure an alternative way forward.

Meanwhile, in a wonderfully supportive move, Bob and Roberta Smith RA OBE submitted his artwork addressed to the Leader of the Council, to the Royal Academy’s renowned Summer Show, which last year received over 296,000 visitors.
 
The artwork says ‘David Williams Hartford’s Art in Schools program was to inspire children, not for you to sell.’

Thank you to Bob and Roberta Smith, the NSEAD and to each of you for your continued support. 

If you can, please consider following us on Twitter @savehertsart