On Thursday this week (5th May), Islanders are invited to head to Department in Ryde to participate in free public life drawing classes (see below to book in advance).
Isle of Wight artists, Teresa Grimaldi and Sarah Vardy have a month-long residency at department and this week will be running life drawing classes with a ‘Tableaux Vivant’ of the eccentric Ventnor character, Olivia Parkes.
‘Britannia’
Known by many locals simply as ‘Britannia’, Olivia Parkes lived in a wooden boathouse on stilts just west of Ventnor Beach for around 40 years from the 1920s to 1958.
With no running water or electricity, the wooden structure could only be accessed via a ladder and had become so dilapidated near the end of its life that Olivia had erected a tent inside the structure to protect herself from the elements.
Book in advance
There are two sessions being held on Thursday 5th May, with (at time of publishing) one place left in the first session between 10.30am and noon.
All materials will be provided.
Department (formerly Elizabeth Packs) can be found at 29-30 Cross Street, Ryde.
To ensure your free place contact Teresa on 07525 051 951.
More about ‘Britannia’
Britannia’s hut is featured in the much-loved mural commissioned by Ventnor Exchange as part of Lift the Lid on Island Culture project of the Ventnor Giant, painted by Sheffield artist, Phlegm, on the side of a building in Ventnor’s High Street.
The life of Olivia Parkes is marked on the Ventnor Heritage walk, which was put together by Ventnor Heritage Centre who also have lots more detail about the hut Olivia lived in – read more via their Website.
Find out more about Teresa and Sarah’s collaborations on their Website.
Image: © Ventnor Heritage Centre
