THE mother of Amy Winehouse will be speaking about the work of the foundation set up in her daughter’s name at an exhibition in Bournemouth on Friday.

Janis Winehouse is set to open and officially launch the second annual Shards Art Exhibition, based at the BIC from August 1 to 31, as the event will be raising funds for The Amy Winehouse Foundation. She will be giving a short talk at the start about the work of the charity, which was set up in memory of Amy after her death aged just 27 in July 2011. The foundation aims to support and inspire vulnerable and disadvantaged young people to help them to reach their full potential.

Local sculptor, Linda Joyce, who organised the Shards event with fellow artist, Rishi Ludgate, is inviting everyone to come along and meet Mrs Winehouse. Residents will also be able to see a bust made from a sculpture of Amy, which Linda created last year.

She said: “I’ve been living in Boscombe for around seven years and I’m very aware of the substance abuse in the area. When I heard that Amy had died, it was terribly sad because she was such a young talented person. I had always wanted to sculpt Amy as she had a beautiful face so after her death, it twigged that I could do it to give to the Foundation, and to help local people.”

Nigel Hedges, chair of Bournemouth Town Centre Management Board, is also set to speak at the event, which starts at 7pm, about the emerging art scene in the town. Bournemouth-based poet, Steve Biddle, is also set to read some of his work.

The event is open to everybody. For more, go to facebook.com/shardsartexhibitions.