A gala dinner at the Imperial War Museum

Celebrating the launch of the Mindful exhibition

On the 21 September 2011, a star studded gala dinner at the Imperial War Museum celebrated the launch of Mindful, an exhibition and arts festival at the Old Vic Tunnels to raise money for Mind's creative therapies fund.

The evening kicked off with an exclusive viewing of the Mindful exhibition, a group show of world-class contemporary art exploring the link between mental health and creativity, curated by Mind ambassador Stuart Semple.

The evening continued with a black tie gala dinner and auction in the main atrium of the Imperial War Museum, the original site of the Royal Bethlehem Hospital, or " Bedlam".

Once seated amongst the iconic architecture, planes and tanks of the Museum, the 200 guests dined on a three course meal designed by executive chef at the Four Seasons, Adriano Cavagnini, and were accompanied by Mind president Stephen Fry and his predecessor Lord Melvyn Bragg. Both gave moving and inspirational speeches about their own experiences of mental helath problems.

A dynamic auction followed dinner by charismatic auctioneer Lord Dalmeny of Sotheby’s, and included prizes such as a day in the studio with the Kooks, a boutique spanish holiday with painting lessons, and a print donated by artists Jake and Dinos Chapman.

The wonderful evening was a great success and raised over £40,000 for the Mind creative therapies fund.

Anything you can afford would help, so please make a donation to the creative therapies fund. Thank you!