In the lead up to the annual Winter Festival, the National Portrait Gallery and the St Vincent de Paul Society Canberra/Goulburn are asking the Canberra community to pick up their knitting needles and crochet hooks to create warm winter scarves to assist people in need.
Scarves donated in the lead up to the Winter Festival will form a warming winter installation in the Gallery’s foyer which will evolve as further donations are received. The scarves will then be donated to support the 2016 Vinnies Winter Appeal at the Gallery’s Winter Festival on 7 August 2016.
President of the St Vincent de Paul Society Canberra/Goulburn, Warwick Fulton, is pleased to bring further attention to the need for winter woollies through the Portrait Gallery’s Winter Festival.
‘The time, energy and thought behind knitting a scarf goes a long way for people who are doing it tough and makes receiving such an item all the more special,’ said Warwick
‘We see an increase in demand for material aid through our Night Patrol service in winter, we hand out anywhere from 20 – 60 items a night. We also see a high demand for winter materials through our shops and being able to provide Canberrans on low incomes with affordable items to keep warm is really essential’
Krysia Kitch, Education and Access Manager at the Gallery is delighted that the Gallery is partnering with the St Vincent de Paul Society Canberra/Goulburn in the interest of keeping Canberra cosy this winter.
‘This is the perfect opportunity to practice your knitting skills and support a fantastic cause,’ said Krysia.
‘Bring your creation to the Gallery and join us on 7 August, the day of the Winter Festival, when the Night Patrol van will make an appearance for the donation hand over.’
If you can’t knit but would like to contribute to this initiative, good quality, second hand scarves will be gratefully accepted.
Last year over 4,000 visitors attended the Gallery’s annual Winter Festival that celebrates identity, art making and portraiture. Other events on the day include ice sculpting, performances and participatory activities for all ages.
