Charity sketch collection raises millions

LONDON, May 7 (UPI) -- More than 25,000 artists thus far have donated money and art to a British project dedicated to raising funds for Oxfam and Save the Children.

The project, which has thus far raised nearly $20 million, allows anyone with some money and an artistic flare to buy a spot on the giant mosaic dubbed the Million Masterpiece, The Daily Telegraph reported Monday.

Aside from professional artists, many celebrities have gotten into the game, such as playwright Tom Stoppard, who sketched a cricket bat for the occasion; his daughter-in-law Linzi Stoppard, a musician, who drew her electric violin; and a sketch from Bob Geldof's daughter, Peaches.

The number of participants outshines the previous record of 25,297 artists involved in a U.S. project titled A Little Dab of Texas in 1998.

"We are going to use a huge inflatable building and a massive plasma screen to show off the ongoing project," said Paul Fisher, leader of the effort. "Eventually, we will print an image on a huge 80-meter by 20-meter canvas."