Art’s the way to raise hospice cash
Jim surprises bosses
A building firm yesterday put aside hammers and drills and showed it has a cultured side.
City Gate Construction is backing Paisley’s bid for UK City of Culture 2021.
And it has revealed that one of its senior staff is an accomplished artist, whose generosity is also going to help Paisley’s Accord Hospice.
The Paisley 2021 team visited CGC’s MacDowall Street offices as part of its “Cultural Boomerang” tour seeking out any evidence of culture which its supporters could come up with.
And the firm’s timber preservation manager Jim Barrie was the go-to man to showcase his exceptional talent as an artist.
Jim’s striking and colourful interpretation of a cockerel will be one of the many works being put up for auction at Accord’s annual art exhibition next month.
Also exhibiting will be Jim’s good friend – John Damari – a highlysuccessful Renfrewshire artist who is known internationally for his art work and prolific charity endeavours.
Jim’s art features vibrant colours using oils on canvas and pigments.
He has a growing following among lovers of fine art.
He said: “I wanted to do something for Accord Hospice, given the fantastic work its staff and supporters do to care for others.
“Many artists have submitted their work for this art exhibition and we all hope it raises a huge amount of money.”
Jim hid his light under a bushel as colleagues at CGC were unaware of his accomplished artistic abilities until they learned of his donation to the Accord exhibition.
Managing director Leo Reilly said: “We are totally committed to supporting the Paisley’s bid for UK City of Culture 2021.
“The benefits it will bring to Paisley and Renfrewshire are enormous.
“We are very impressed by Jim’s talent and by his generosity in donating an art work that will raise money for the hospice.
“We had no idea he was such an accomplished painter, but we are delighted to have such talent on the staff.
“Culture enriches people’s lives, whether it is art, music or theatre, and CGC is pleased to be helping celebrate local talent as part of the Paisley 2021 Culture Bus Tour.”
Earlier this year, CGC were appointed ambassadors for the bid after the company threw its considerable weight behind the effort.
Sixty CGC vans are now on the road featuring the Paisley 2021 distinctive logo and the firm has also placed a giant sign on a building at its Fulbar Road structural steel fabrication division in the town.
Examples of Jim’s work can be found at www.jimbarrie.co.uk
We are totally committed to supporting the Paisley 2021 bid Leo Reilly