John Dahlsen gifts art for good cause

A prominent Australian artist is supporting the efforts of a small outback roadhouse, which is hosting a dinner to raise money for people with blood cancer.

Proceeds from a gifted artwork to be auctioned at the Emerald Springs Roadhouse’s “A Night at the Springs” charity dinner will be donated to the Leukaemia Foundation through its annual UGLY (Understanding, Generous, Likeable You!) Bartender of the Year competition.

Charles Darwin University Visual Arts Lecturer and postgraduate student John Dahlsen, whose career as an internationally recognised artist spans more than 30 years, will gift his work “Driftwood #1” for auction at the fundraiser.

Mr Dahlsen said he made the decision to support Emerald Springs’ owner and UGLY Bartender Belinda Marshall after stopping into her establishment for a meal while on a road trip to Kakadu.

“I noticed a fantastic artwork hanging in the roadhouse’s restaurant, and asked Belinda where she got it,” Mr Dahlsen said.

“She told me it was donated to her by a contemporary Australian artist to raise money for the Leukaemia Foundation.

I asked her if I could donate one of my works to help her raise money for this wonderful cause, and she was delighted by the offer.

I find great joy in donating my work, and do so whenever possible to help charities or organisations in need.”

Each year, Ms Marshall participates in the UGLY Bartender of the Year competition, and the Emerald Springs Roadhouse hosts a charity dinner event, with all proceeds going to the Leukaemia Foundation.

The competition involves publicans raising money to support leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma patients and their families, who have to travel long distances to receive treatment, by providing accommodation.

In 2012, the establishment raised more than $60,000 by hosting more than 350 people at its charity dinner. The goal is to exceed this amount in 2013.

The Leukaemia Foundation is using these funds to build accommodation for Northern Territory patients travelling to Adelaide for treatment, and has named one of the patient units “Emerald Springs House”.

The event will be held from 4:00pm this Saturday, 16 November 2013.