AN ONLINE art auction has been launched to offer Dorset artists a space to sell their work.

A curated auction featuring 20 Dorset artists and 77 items, including paintings, prints, sculptures, ceramics, jewellery and stoneware will run online until March 27.

The auction is being held by The Auction Hub, an online service, in partnership with Dorset Visual Arts (DVA), a charity organisation for artists, makers and designers which is focused on bringing artists and the public together to share in a better understanding of the visual arts and their place in society.

All works have been published online and are now available to view. The expected bids for the pieces range from £65 to £3,500, with one sculpture, made of Portland stone, expected to be sold for the top price.

James Harvey, founder and managing director of The Auction Hub, said: "The Auction Hub is delighted to be hosting a curated auction for the Dorset Visual Arts group.

"With 77 individual lots from 20 artists representing a wide spectrum of mediums and disciplines, we anticipate there will be strong bidding."

Last year, DVA was forced to cancel its annual Dorset Arts Week event, to the disappointment of both staff and artists.

A spokesman for the charity said: "In these unprecedented times the role of the artist is being challenged, we hope you find strength and inspiration for yourself and creative ways to communicate your practice with your community and beyond our county borders."

Charity volunteers are now thrilled to be holding the online auction, which they hope will encourage the artists professional development as well as provide an opportunity for them to showcase their work.

Mr Harvey added: "The lockdown has been hard for the artist as the normal way of selling through exhibitions has been shut down.

"The Auction Hub provides the artist with an online platform for selling their works of art during this difficult time. This curated auction offers an exciting opportunity to purchase work by talented Dorset artists and to support the creative arts outside a gallery space."

For more information and to view the pieces up for auction, visit auctionet.com/en/editorial/campaign/dva