The highly reputable Abate Zanetti school in Murano, Italy, provided the marvellous location for the second auction of the Minerva Art Project on Friday 27 November 2009.

Among the artists featured on the night were Barbara Hamilton, author of the famous portrait of John Paul II, and Basia Zarzycka, designer to the Hollywood stars.  The famous chef Gordon Ramsay donated a signed book and there were donations from many luminaries in the art world including a work from China from Professor Lee curated by Achille Bonito Oliva, photography from the USA from Christofer C Dierdoff and art from Italy contrubted by Cesido Sillo and Nino Spallone among many others.

Present at the event were Italian artist Maria Luisa Sabato and Polish artist Tomasz Milasz, representatives from Arte Laguna and the wonderful opera singer Sara Petegriani who delighted the audience with a performance before and after the event.

Blandine and Magdalena expressed their grattitude at the warm welcome they received from Sig. Matteo Savini, Direttore dell’Istituto Venezia and L’Industrale comm. Ferro della Ferro Murrano: “All involved contributed generously and did their upmost to make sure we had everything we needed.  We have been so lucky with the growing support of artists and businesses at large – it was a magical time.”

The event received the written support of Mayor of the London, Boris Johnson, who wrote to Magdalena and Blandine to wish them well.Press coverage included representatives of TV Polonia and for Italian press by Raffaella Cartledge.  The number of items sold has yet to be confirmed but there are some potential bargains remaining at http://gallery.eclusier.com and/or by contacting the Minerva Art Project directly by email at contact@artminerva.org.

The project continues to grow and plans are underway to take the concept to the doorstep of other European countries soon.  The remaining artworks from the Venice collection along with other important donated works will shortly be on display with the Minerva collection at a permanent exhibition in Devon in cooperation with Gesar children charitable organization , UK.