Art scholar Makenzy Beard is donating paintings to a Millfield auction to raise money for the school’s bursary fund that supported her.
None other than former Christie’s auctioneer Guy Bennett is auctioning the art at Millfield School’s Atkinson Gallery next month.
Guy was the former International Head of Impressionist and Modern Art at Christie’s, is an Old Millfieldian and current parent. Based in the USA, he is flying over especially to be part of the auction and support Makenzy.
Upper sixth Makenzy discovered her artistic talent during the pandemic and gained international recognition selling some of her paintings for more than £20,000. Makenzy has also displayed her work in the Royal Academy of Arts Summer Show and has had her very own sellout Solo Exhibition.
The Old Millfieldian Exhibition auction, celebrating Millfield’s 90th year, is being held in the school’s gallery and online on Friday 28th February. It aims to raise funds for the Millfield Discover Brilliance Campaign for bursaries.
The exhibition also features works from alumni, including photographer Finn Taylor. Known for capturing portraits of celebrities such as Snoop Dogg and Lewis Hamilton, and athletes including Robert Lewandowski and Eliud Kipchoge. Alongside commercial commissions, Finn works on social documentary projects and he has collaborated with brands such as Nike and Apple, and featured editorially in Time Magazine and The Guardian.
Makenzy joined Millfield on an art and hockey scholarship in 2023, benefitting from the schools Brilliance Fund. She is contributing two original pieces of art and three prints to be sold at the auction, and a further original painting will feature in the exhibition.
She said, “I am excited to be organising this charity auction and selling some of my original paintings and prints. All profits will go towards the Discover Brilliance campaign who provided me with support to attend Millfield. I really want other young people to be given the same opportunity I was, and so this is going to be my way of giving back.”
Guy Bennett said: “I am delighted to be assisting such a bright young talent such as Makenzy in her first auction. We both benefitted from attending a school that offers so many opportunities for young people to uncover and develop their own talents, and being able to give back and help provide that for others in the future is really exciting. We are hoping to raise a lot of money for bursaries.”
In addition to her paintings which she does in her spare time, Makenzy is a dedicated athlete, representing Wales as part of the U21 Hockey Squad and has been Head Girl. She is studying A levels in Philosophy, Drama and Biology.
The Old Millfieldian Exhibition will be part of the school’s 90th anniversary Founder’s Day festivities. The two-day event honours Millfield founder Boss Meyer and schools journey from its conception in 1935.
The auction is open to the public with further information on the school’s social media channels coming soon.
Headmaster Gavin Horgan said: “We are very grateful to Makenzy for donating her work to the auction in order to give back to others the experience she has enjoyed at Millfield. She is a highly talented individual on many fronts and we look forward to following her progress in the years to come. Millfield is a school that is determined to be diverse, ever since its founding, and Makenzy is an amazing example of that.”