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Names on image L – R
Glen King, Kristi Johnson, Dina Clements, Ylenia Tumani,
Liz Oram, Linda Assarsson, Christina Garrod,
Rebecca de Mendonca – Exeter Artist
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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.”
