ASHLEY JACKSON BACKS BIG ARTS WEEK

April 6, 2004

The Yorkshire artist Ashley Jackson – best known for his unique, evocative and distinctive paintings of brooding moorlands – is backing a nationwide event designed to give children better access to arts activities in the classroom.

As part of the annual Big Arts Week, which this year runs from June 21 to 25, Ashley will be working with approximately 300 children from Wooldale Junior School in Holmfirth - the setting for Last of the Summer Wine.

Ashley Jackson, who has exhibited worldwide and who can count former US President Bill Clinton among his fans, will host a visual lecture for all pupils at Wooldale in which he will both paint and explain the techniques he uses.   It is then hoped to take 20 of the most artistically keen children out into the local area to work more closely with the acclaimed painter.

Since opening his first gallery in 1963, Ashley has become one of the country's leading and most successful landscape water colourists. His distinctive paintings have become synonymous with Yorkshire and with the moors above and around his gallery at Holmfirth at the heart of the Pennines.

“I was thrilled to be a part of Big Arts Week last year when I had the opportunity to work with a few talented students,” says Ashley.   “But I’ve always been committed to taking the arts out to the people and this time I wanted to give as many children as possible the chance to take part.   It is vital we encourage the next generation of artists and I am delighted to be supporting this important project again in 2004.”

Launched in 2002, Big Arts Week has already proved to be a huge success.   In its first two years some 3,000 professional artists have gone into 5,000 schools to work with over 100,000 children.   If the scheme is to continue growing, many more artists are needed to match the increasing demand from the teaching profession.

Big Arts Week 2004 runs from June 21 to 25 and it comes with an impressive list of patrons and celebrity supporters, including Harry Enfield, Julian Lloyd Webber, Helena Bonham Carter, Frederick Forsyth, Kathy Lette and Prunella Scales.

For further information on Big Arts Week 2004 visit www.bigartsweek.com  

To volunteer as an artist or register as a school email info@bigartsweek.com or call 020 7654 0023.

Press enquiries to David Leck on 01322 528580/07710 326256 or Helen Thompson on 020 7404 5328.