EXETER CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS GET INTO THE ‘SPIRIT’ OF ART

Ben de Cruz, Haines Watts/ Kelly Johnson Exeter Phoenix / Rachel Billen Browne Jacobson LLP / Frances Matteson Exeter Phoenix/ Lisa Crockford Haines Watts & Matt Burrows Exeter Phoenix

A new cocktail was created on behalf of Southernhay based Chartered Accountants, Haines Watts at an exclusive awards ceremony and exhibition opening at Exeter Phoenix.  Main sponsors of the main £1000 award for the National Open Contemporary Art Award at Exeter Phoenix for the 7^th consecutive year, the innovative accountants wanted to put a new twist on this year’s pre-view event by running a competition to name the new cocktail inspired by the artwork on display.

Over 200 artists and local business leaders attended the launch party and awards announcement of the Exeter Contemporary Open, Devon's only international open contemporary art exhibition.  Guests were invited to enter the Haines Watts competition to name the new cocktail created specifically for the exhibition by local Mixologist, David Williams of The Bikeshed Theatre.  The cocktail was made-up of two main components of gin and elderflower complemented by fresh lemon and non-alcoholic ‘Mocktails’ without the spirit were also available on the evening. 

Local solicitor, Rachel Billen from Browne Jacobson LLP which recently acquired the Employment and Insurance Practices of Veitch Penny, Exeter came up with the winning name of ‘Cecilled in Gin’ which was inspired by the photograph 'Cecil' by Siobhan raw, exhibited in Exeter Contemporary Open 2012. 

Ben de Cruz Managing Partner of Haines Watts Exeter says: “Having sponsored this event for a number of years, we wanted to add a new element and dimension for 2012.  The cocktail was delicious and proved very popular, and was a great way to welcome guests to the exhibition. The competition angle also encouraged our guests to look at the artwork in a new light.”

The exciting new cocktail will be available to purchase at the Exeter Phoenix Café/Bar throughout the exhibition which runs from 13 September – 1 November 2012.