Palazzo Montefano
December 1996 – July 2003
Vedrana di Budrio, Bologna
"The charm of certain vacant grassy spaces, in Italy, overfrowned by
masses of brickwork that are honeycombed by the suns of centuries, is
something that I hereby renounce once for all the attempt to express; but
you may be sure that whenever I mention such a spot enchantment lurks in
it."
Henry James
The Villa
Reading Retreats in Rural Italy began in a historic 17th-century villa located in Vedrana di Budrio. The property was nestled in the heart of the Bolognese countryside, just a few hundred meters from the River Idice. The villa provided a serene and bucolic atmosphere that would become the hallmark of the association's future locations.
The Early Years
In those first years, the concept of a "Reading Retreat" was still taking root. While not many people came specifically to read at first, the association managed to survive and eventually thrived by transforming the villa into a vibrant cultural center.
Palazzo Montefano became known for its lively classical music and Jazz concerts, art exhibitions, cinema nights, seasonal parties, and diverse cultural events. These gatherings built a strong and dedicated community of local members from the Bologna area, laying the foundation for the global association we are today.
Artistic Beginnings
It was at Palazzo Montefano that the association established its long-standing tradition of collaborating with international artists. The premise was simple; bring to Bologna living artists who have established careers in their own countries and abroad, but are relatively unknown in Italy. The very first art exhibition hosted by Reading Retreats took place here in 1997 and featured the works of the Greek painter Pavlos Habidis. This was Clark's first experience curating an exhibition, publishing a catalogue, and (as it was put together on a very limited budget) stretching canvases and doing some electrical work.
Moving On
After six years in Palazzo Montefano, the owner of the villa was offered triple what the association was paying for rent, so she asked us to leave. What at first seemed like a tragedy turned out to be a great opportunity for Reading Retreats in Rural Italy. Through a wide network of members and friends from Bologna, Clark found a new location for the association, but not just any location: a medieval castle with a tower built by the Pepoli family in the 14th Century! There was lots of work to be done in the new place, but who could resist such a challenge?