Appeals

Danse Macabre 1992, one of an edition of 75 colour etchings by Irene Scheinmann (born 1933), on display at the Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford. The exhibition has been arranged by the City Gallery Arts Trust, which was established in 1982 as a charitable visual arts organisation to promote the commissioning of contemporary arts and crafts in public places.

A large part of the trust's work involves liaising with the Oxford, Leicester and Milton Keynes health authorities: the trust acts as a consultant to the authorities' art committees which run various art schemes for both the interiors and exteriors of the hospitals. All three health authorities have similar aims for their art schemes: to create stimulating environments for both staff and patients - works of art can ease stress and personalise clinical surroundings; to enhance public buildings; and to introduce arts and crafts to a wider audience of people who would not ordinarily visit an art gallery or musuem.

The trust has devised various projects to fulfil these aims: commissioning works for new hospital buildings or newly refurbished areas; purchasing and organising a hire scheme of prints for wards and public areas; commissioning artists to document the work of hospitals as an historical record; giving regular exhibitions in waiting areas so that artists not only display but sell their work. Irene Scheinmann's oil paintings and prints exhibition at the Radcliffe Infirmary began last month and will run until Wednesday 17 March. Her work frequently uses the monumental forms of rocks or trees from the natural landscape combined with man-made objects. Another selection of the artist's works will be displayed at the main entrance of Leicester Royal Infirmary during the summer.

The trust also advises local authorities and institutions about public art projects and has been commissioned by the Countryside Commission and Southern Arts to oversee a public art project for the upper part of the Thames path, running from the river's source in Gloucestershire to Hampshire. For further information, contact: City Gallery Arts Trust, South Pavilion, Parklands, Great Linford, Milton Keynes MK14 5DZ, telephone 0908 606791.

OXFAM is holding 'Dance for Zimbabwe', a concert in aid of the organisation's joint projects in remote and drought-ridden parts of Zimbabwe. Starting at 7pm on Wednesday 24 February, at the Town & Country Club, Kentish Town, London, the concert will feature the Bhundu Boys, Misty in Roots, a reggae band, Latin Quarter and Mouth Music, a band from Scotland. The bands will perform free and all profits go directly to Zimbabwean projects helping people recover from two years of drought and then devastating flash floods. This year Oxfam will give some pounds 500,000 to drought relief in Zimbabwe. Tickets, at pounds 8.50, are available from the Town & Country Box Office, telephone 071-284 0303.

Oxfam, London Campaigning and Fundraising Office, 58 St John's Hill, Clapham, London SW11 1VJ, telephone 071-585 0220.

THE LIVING AGAIN TRUST, which works in close partnership with The Royal Hospital & Home, Putney, London, needs to raise pounds 440,000 each year to run its research, academic and clinical development work into rehabilitation and long-term care of people with severe disabilities. To help fund-raising, the Theatre in Trust, which was established to raise money for charity by performing drama, is staging A Scottish Musical, from Thursday 4 March until Saturday 13 March at Bridge Lane Theatre, Battersea, London. The musical is based on Macbeth and set in modern times. For tickets, prices from pounds 12, contact Bridge Lane Theatre box office, telephone 071-228 8828.

The Living Again Trust, Appeals Office, Royal Hospital and Home, Putney, West Hill, London SW15 3SW, telephone 081-788 6052.

The Independent welcomes details of appeals from readers. They should be sent in writing (no more than 100 words) to Gazette (Appeals), The Independent, 40 City Road, London EC1Y 2DB (fax 071- 956 9358). Please include a daytime telephone number.

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