Acompalia Artistica's three-week-long exhibition opened on Saturday evening in the Azucarera de Nuestra Señora del Pilar (Our Lady of the Pillar sugar factory) in Motril. It is the culmination of three months of work by a group of international artists, many of whom are also volunteers for the Granada-based palliative care charity.

More than 200 people attended the event, which also featured live music and trapeze artists, along with an exhibition of paintings, sculpture and even a hand-painted sofa, by 50 international artists.

The event was officially opened by Motril's councillor for culture, Pablo Ruíz Jiménez, and brief speeches were given by exhibition organiser and Acompalia volunteer, Emma Plunkett, exhibition curator, Gareth Lister, and Acompalia president, Françoise Rajewski.

During the opening speeches, Françoise was presented with a cheque for 1,281 euros for the charity on behalf of the participating artists. She thanked them for their support, both in terms of the donation and for taking part in the exhibition.

Exhibition curator, Gareth Lister, who is originally from London but has lived in Lanjarón in the Alpujarras for two years said, “After the work we have put into the exhibition I am so glad to see so many people who endorse what we do.”

The clear message that came from Acompalia was the importance of adding “brightness and colour” to the lives of people receiving palliative care and their families. This was reflected in the vibrancy not only of the works on display, but the explosion of colour in people's choice of clothes (and even hair) for the evening.

Many of the people involved in the exhibition made the analogy between giving life to an old building and ensuring that people receiving palliative care are given the opportunities to enjoy their final days with dignity and fulfillment.

Emma Plunkett, whose work was also on display, said of organising the event, “I found the space by doing research on the internet and thought it was perfect.” She added, “All of the artists are linked to Andalucía although some live here temporarily. We have artists from as far afield as Australia, Canada and South Africa.”

The exhibition will be on until 16 December and on each Saturday evening there will be live music. On 9 December a chamber orchestra will be accompanied by a handmade harpsichord, made by Kitti Harri's partner, Nick, which is normally on display at her sculpture garden in Jete, Granada.

On 16 December artist Steffi Goddard will be inviting people to make a donation to decorate their own canvas LoveHug™, 100 of which Steffi will put together to form a collage to be given to Acompalia at the end of the evening, who will then donate it to a hospital of their choice.