Exeter Arts Draw On Link To Italian City

Names on image L – R

Glen King, Kristi Johnson, Dina Clements, Ylenia Tumani, 

Liz Oram, Linda Assarsson, Christina Garrod, 

Rebecca de Mendonca – Exeter Artist

New local company AventHolidays; the brainchild of Woodbury-based Jeremy Jackson, announces the first of its new all-inclusive six day Italian painting breaks in the UNESCO World Heritage City of Ferrara, Italy, an outstanding success.  Ferrara with a population of 350,000 boasts the oldest university in Italy together with a castle and is linked to Exeter University. The inaugural painting holiday was led by Rebecca de Mendonça a renowned artist who has developed considerable skill in the use of pastels.  She spent 10 years working alongside Channel 4 Grand Designs presenter Kevin McCloud as his assistant and now lives in Exeter where she runs art courses.

A press conference was held in the city’s castle with members of the Italian press meeting Jeremy Jackson and Exeter artist Rebecca de Mendonça together with BBC Radio Devon presenter Judi Spiers.  The President of Chamber of Trade Carlo Alberto Roncarati and the Head of Tourism for the Emilia Romagna Region Davide Bellotti welcomed the Devon contingency to their City.  Afterwards Bellotti  gifted a bespoke commemorative plate designed by local Art college students to each of the AventHoliday guests to signify the forged links between the two cities.

AventHolidays works alongside AventArt.com, launched by Jackson in spring this year to promote unknown but talented Devon and Cornwall artists through a web-based outlet. A keen charity supporter, artist, writer and retired public relations executive he was inspired to start the new ventures by local anaesthetist Charlie Collins who is raising money to pay for a hospital for the EarAid charity in Nepal.   Although this will operate as a commercial venture, helping to promote art and artists, a percentage of the money will be donated to this worthy cause.

Jeremy Jackson – Founder of AventHolidays says: “I decided to start a business which will be a 100% commercial enterprise, with a percentage of the revenue going to charity.  I am absolutely delighted with the success of the first Italian painting break which not only attracted guests from Devon but also Sweden and two American ladies. It is wonderful to think that we have strong Exeter Links with this stunning city and the very warm welcome we received.  Going forward we are looking to organise further themed Italian holidays, not just painting breaks but also cycling and cooking”.

Rebecca, one of the AventArt artists, designed the Italian course so the travellers could soak up the atmosphere of the medieval city of Ferrara and draw from the architecture, the people and the authentic Italian life away from the busy crowded tourist hubs. Rebecca’s course in pastels focused on the use and techniques of this medium and included a day tour to the romantic city of Venice.

Judi Spiers – BBC Radio Devon Presenter says: “I haven’t picked up a paint brush since my Art A-levels.  This wonderful painting break in a stunning location and under the stewardship of Rebecca awakened the inner artist in me and has inspired me to continue to paint.  It was a delightful and unmissable experience.”

The next planned holiday is 14-20 September 2013 in Ferrara with an Italian artist – for more information contact: Liz Oram  - enquiries@aventholidays.com  www.aventholidays.com

Art Project Aims to Raise Profile of Local Artists and Funds for Charity

Front Row : Jeremy Jackson

Art, charity and travel have been combined in a unique collaborative project launched by Woodbury-based Jeremy Jackson with an illustrious career as an artist, writer and honorary pastor and former public relations executive spanning 30 years. Despite retiring six years ago, flamboyant Jeremy is far from taking it easy and his latest new venture combines two of his greatest passions – paintings and people.  As well as supporting a charity that helps orphaned and abandoned children in Tanzania, philanthropic Jeremy has now launched a new commercial business that will help raise funds for people with ear disease and deafness in Nepal.  The new venture, AventArt, will see Jeremy partner with gifted British artists across the UK to not only raise their profile but also much-needed money for the needy.  The first 7 artists signed-up are all based in Devon & Cornwall.

Jeremy says: “I want to showcase the high-quality work of living artists; whether amateurs who wish to move into a professional status or more established artists seeking wider notability.  AventArt is set to create a real buzz in the world of fine arts that will benefit many. It will inspire and delight – we are in the business of celebrating beauty – beauty of the human spirit and of the world around us.”

Jeremy’s latest project was, in part, inspired by local anaesthetist Charlie Collins who is raising money to pay for a hospital for the EarAid charity in Nepal. Jeremy, whose fundraising ventures have included a walk from Exeter to Land’s End and, is a great believer in business giving back to the community.  He says: “I felt I couldn't ask for any more sponsorship, so really another walk was out of the question.  So I decided instead to start a business which will be a commercial enterprise, with a percentage of the revenue going to charity.”

In a further development of the AventArt brand, two of the artists to join the project, Devon-based Peter Goodhall and Rebecca de Mendonça, are hosting a series of painting breaks in Italy during June and July this year.  Rebecca, from Exeter, and Sidmouth-based Peter are both experienced tutors who will be helping their students to brush up on a range of techniques, whatever their ability.  Each tutor will provide four hours of structured tutorial sessions each day in the stunning UNESCO World Heritage city of Ferrara.  Students will paint al fresco in the cool of the delightful hotel courtyard as well as having the opportunity of exploring the city, taking sketch books and boards to draw and paint new and exciting locations as the fancy takes them.

Rebecca has worked with some highly creative people, on some fascinating projects. These include sculpting the famous ceiling in Harrods food hall and producing work for Warwick Castle museum and Madame Tussaud's.

Peter works from his studio located on a Devon cliff-top; an idyllic and inspirational setting for his specialist art. His oil paintings of nudes in water concentrate on the sensual forms and patterns trying to capture the shimmering movements before they disappear.

To find out more about the artists go to www.aventart.com.  For full information about painting breaks visit: www.aventholidays.com or email Liz at: enquiries@aventholidays.com