Sovereign Foundation to host exclusive Gala Dinner and Charity Auction this December

The event held at Bacalhôa Palace aims to support vulnerable children by celebrating the artworks of Portuguese finalists of the 2024 Sovereign Portuguese Art Prize

The Sovereign Art Foundation (SAF) will host a Gala Dinner and Charity Auction this December 7, Saturday, at the unique Bacalhôa Palace in Azeitão, Setúbal, thus concluding this year’s Sovereign Portuguese Art Prize.

Featuring exceptional wine, entertainment and art, the event will raise awareness and funds for the SAF, a charity founded in Asia by Yorkshireman and art collector Howard Bilton in 2003, to use art to “raise money and make a difference in the lives of vulnerable children”.

Sovereign Art Prize

To achieve this, Howard Bilton launched an art prize, developing a unique model promoting contemporary Asian art to the public in Hong Kong whilst raising funds through art auctions. Then in 2021, he replicated the model, now in Portugal, with the Sovereign Portuguese Art Prize, which aims to increase the international exposure of Portuguese artists and the Portuguese diaspora whilst raising funds for arts education programmes.

This year’s Portuguese Art Prize will culminate with the Gala Dinner and Charity Auction, with raised funds going to programmes that will help disadvantaged children in Portugal, using expressive arts as a means of education, communication, and engagement.

As Bilton explains, “In Portugal, all the money we raise is applied toward art therapy classes for disadvantaged children.” He is currently implementing a programme in Estremoz in the Alentejo. “Art therapy is a very powerful tool for sorting out behavioural difficulties, mental difficulties, all sorts of difficulties. What we are doing is using art to try to change behaviour positively and increase the chances of these children having a normal education.”

According to SAF, 22.5% of children in Portugal live below the poverty line. “Giving them an art class isn’t going to solve that problem alone, but if you look at that sector of society, which is huge, and pick out those who have mental struggles on top of everything else, we can help a small fraction. And that’s better than helping none,” Howard states.

The Sovereign Art Foundation also aims to expand nationwide. However, it is financially constrained. “The Portuguese professional art prize is the key to that. If it goes well, we’ll be able to do a lot. So, on December 7, we hope to sell some of the work at the exhibition to raise some money,” anticipates Bilton, adding that “in Portugal, a little bit of money goes a long way.”

Tickets cost €200 per person and table reservations for 10 people cost €2000. For more information and to reserve your seats, e-mail [email protected]

Article originally published by Alexandra Stilwell on Portugal Resident.

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