– Art: A Family Affair –
As our readers and the fans know, the McCrory-Lewis household is very much involved with the Sir HvH Arts Foundation. Before her passing, Helen McCrory had been a Patron of the organization since 2013, then Damian became Patron after her passing in 2021. In October 2025 Damian and Helen’s daughter Manon became Youth Ambassador in honor of her mother’s legacy.
In March of this year, Manon held Masterclass Workshops over three weekends teaching the art of Decalcomania inspired by the Spanish artist Salvador Dali, working with inks, acrylics, and fine liners. As HvH’s young artist in residence, Manon guided youth artists who produced incredible work, which inspired thought provoking conversations. Another course of Manon’s explored surrealist art techniques in watercolor, oils, scraping, and brushes. Surrealist artists like Oscar Domínguez and Max Ernst used gouache or oil paint on paper, pressing it onto canvas to create automatic, organic, and random imagery. The Masterclass included researching artists, techniques, and mixed media, while rocking out to their favorite tunes as they created incredible art.
During one of those Masterclasses, Damian stopped by with his pup Petra to admire their work. He was inspired by the atmosphere and amazing work the young people produced. Petra has been dubbed the HvH Arts family dog, and was more than happy to receive cuddles and walkies.
Damian provides significant support to the young people of HvH Arts by attending the charity’s fundraising events and summer exhibitions. At the summer exhibitions he always jams with the band created by HvH’s Teenage Music Mentoring Project. He also presents The McCrory Award every year as part of the HvH Arts Scholarship Programme and in honor of Helen. The McCrory Award grants disadvantaged young people the resources, training, and finances needed to support them in their chosen medium. Damian consistently attends HvH’s biggest annual fundraising event, the BGC Charity Day, where he raises money for HvH Arts Foundation on the trading floor every September.
The HvH Arts Foundation is run by photographer Debbi Clark and provides free art education and creative opportunities for young people from underprivileged backgrounds. The foundation’s core mission is providing a gateway to the arts for young people aged 5-18 years old and equipping them with inspiration, tools, and most importantly, safe spaces to nurture their passions.
For more information about HvH Arts, visit their Instagram account here.