Art created by adults with learning disabilities together with established artists raised more than £35k at Kisharon’s heART edit auction.

Original paintings, ceramics and photographs were snapped up by art enthusiasts and Kisharon supporters at the Omer Tiroche Gallery in London.

Kisharon Chief Executive Dr Beverley Jacobson said the charity was “constantly looking for innovative ways to break boundaries and raise the expectations of those we support”.  She added: “What the event doesn’t show is the transformative change that has taken place in the participants through their involvement in the project…(which) will change individuals’ perceptions of themselves and their expectations for the future.”

Artists David Breuer-Weil, Shemariyahu Black, Daniella Rosenfield and Yisrael Soriano were among those who donated their time and expertise to mentor people Kisharon supports. Daniella, along with Sari Friedman and Rebecca Frankel were on the organising committee headed by Freidi Klein who brought the HeART Edit idea to Kisharon. Many of the artists also donated their own work to raise funds.

Omer Tiroche, the auctioneer, said: “Many of the students who collaborated on the artworks did not know they had artistic talents before embarking on this project, but their works were all extremely well-received and were the reason for the event’s great success, raising huge sums for the charity as a result.”

Debbie Roston, who is supported by Kisharon, introduced her own artwork to attendees on the night, concluding that “art is a beautiful way to appreciate God’s work”.  Artist Daniella Rosenfield, who worked with Debbie, said it had been “a refreshing and enlightening experience”.

Twenty-year-old artist Shemariyahu Black winner of the Saatchi/Deutsche Bank 2015 prize for his painting Little Sister said he “looked forward” to each of his sessions with Yanky Kahan who produced a series of acrylic works on canvas. “I’m going to continue volunteering at Kisharon because of the impact it had on me,” he added.

Photo-journalist Adam Scott, who has a child with learning difficulties, said that collaborating with Daniel Yefet and David Abrahams had helped refine his own communication skills, and commended the project for giving “an opportunity for people with learning disabilities to explore and experience making art and develop abilities in different areas”.

Heralding the project’s success, Sari Freidman said: “Throughout this project I have witnessed generosity that knows no boundaries, and how willing people are to open their hearts. Doors were opened for people who often find them shut. The electric atmosphere at the auction was the crowning achievement of a truly awe-inspiring journey that will stay with me for a long time.”

A coffee table book of heART edit originals with information about the artists and the story behind the project is on sale at Kisharon’s Gift and Homeware Store, Equal, price £20.