CRICKHOWELL-BASED arts charity Peak (formerly Arts Alive Wales), will be marking its 30th year with a celebratory fundraising art auction at the Angel Hotel, Abergavenny on March 2, aiming to raise £10,000 towards its programme for children and young people in the region.

The charity, which works with professional artists and communities in the Black Mountains region offers a rich creative programme for all ages, but its focus continues to be children and young people. Chief executive Justine Wheatley explains "we aim to support rurally-based children to thrive in a digital age, by teaching and developing creative skills and through projects that target and support children who are facing challenging lives or reduced wellbeing."

Arts projects scheduled for 2018 include 'Caban Crefft' a craft-based project for young people that are facing homelessness in Abergavenny, and 'Illumine', a digital arts skills training project for young people in Powys. 'Caban Sgriblio', a three-year 'creative writing for wellbeing' project now supported by BBC Children in Need, is one example of a project made possible by previous fundraising appeals.

We are delighted to welcome broadcaster, novelist and cultural historian Professor Dai Smith CBE to open our 30th anniversary auction. Dai's distinguished career spans a wide variety of roles and has included work for BBC Wales as head of programmes in the 1990s as well as lectureships and professorships in the UK and in Europe. He was pro-vice chancellor at the University of Glamorgan and subsequently held the Raymond Williams Chair in the Cultural History of Wales at Swansea University.

From 2007 until 2016, Dai served as chairman of Arts Council of Wales, playing a pivotal role in initiating the 'Creative Learning through the Arts' programme in Welsh schools, which is transforming the way children and young people engage with the arts in the curriculum. His services to culture and the arts in Wales was recognised in the 2017 New Year's Honours list with a CBE.

Well-known TV presenter and popular HTV news broadcaster Arfon Haines Davies will act as auctioneer on the night. For the last few years he has been a Welsh art appraiser for leading auction house Rogers Jones co. and is also a longstanding member of the Institute of Fundraising Wales committee. "I'm delighted to be supporting Peak with their annual auction, especially at such an exciting time for the charity."

Arfon will be selling work created by 19 professional artists that have worked with Peak in 2017. Participating artists include Cardiff-born Pete Fowler (best known for his artwork for the Welsh band Super Furry Animals and his Monsterism toys and goods), renowned illustrator Hannah Firmin, as well as two emerging artists, Jessie Guidici-Mumford and Siôn Marshall-Waters, who both grew up locally.

Previous art auctions have been sell-out events, and as places are strictly limited, guests are advised to email info@peak.cymru or call 01873 811579 to reserve seats. The auction ticket price of £40 (discounted to £35 per person for groups of four or more) covers the running costs of the event including a drinks reception and generous tapas supper.

If you would like to donate to the 2018 Children and Young People appeal, contact info@peak.cymru

View auction artwork, purchase tickets and bid online in advance at peak.cymru/auction/.

The Angel Hotel Ballroom will be open for viewing in person from 10am on Friday, March 2.