Industry charity, NABS, is bringing back its Art Auction with a bigger and bolder multi-venue format, which has been designed to showcase adland artists from across the UK.

This year’s auction is focused on advancing mental wellness in the industry through art. All money raised will go towards NABS’ vital work.

The last Art Auction took place online in 2021 to give people a boost during the pandemic. The charity is calling on the industry to submit their art pieces for sale in a public online auction, followed by three private views held across the country. 

According to the charity, this year’s art auction will be NABS’ biggest yet. An online auction will feature all submissions, followed by three live auctions taking place in Edinburgh (22 October), London (24 October) and Manchester (30 October). 

Kate Harris, Regional Director at NABS, oversees the art auction. She explains: “Creating and appreciating art can be fantastic for  mental wellness. As NABS is here to advance the mental wellness of our industry, we've created our Art Auction as a perfect opportunity for people to help others, while also giving themselves a creative and emotional boost.”

Funds raised from the Art Auction will help NABS to meet continued and rising demand for its services in the wake of the pandemic. The charity’s support team has seen a sustained increase in calls in recent years, with a 13% hike year-on-year following a 53% increase the year before, representing 4,500 calls in 2023. 

Submissions can take the form of paintings, drawings, sculpture, poetry, photography, illustration, textiles, ceramics or any other forms of inspiration.

Bidding begins online on 30 September and people can also compete for their favourite pieces in-person at each live event. Each live event is overseen by a committee composed of some of adland’s biggest names, ensuring that a broad spread of talent is tapped into and represented in the auction. 

Jon Peppiatt, NABS Trustee and chair of the London Art Auction committee, adds: “With the collective creative talent of our  industry, we are hoping that this event can raise a huge amount of money for a cause that unites us all - mental wellness". 

He continues: “Not only will the funds raised go to supporting the ever-increasing number of people coming to NABS for help, but the process of making art and giving back is well established as being good for our mental health as well. Our industry is packed full of brilliant creative people so I urge everyone to get involved and we’re really excited to see the work that gets submitted.”

Adlanders can submit their artworks here.