30 YEARS OF DIMBOLA CELEBRATED WITH LADY OF SHALOTT STATUE UNVEILING

Dimbola Museum & Galleries at Freshwater Bay held a day of celebrations on Saturday to mark the 30th anniversary of the original opening of the museum and galleries. Koo Stark wielded the scissors in 1994, but on this occasion, it was Vice President Julia Cameron – a descendant of photographer Julia Margaret Cameron to whom Dimbola is dedicated – who cut the ribbon. Museum Director Dr Brian Hinton MBE, Chair of the Julia Margaret Cameron Trust, gave a short address in which he thanked everyone who had supported Dimbola over the years especially the staff and the volunteers. He also mentioned support from companies including Olympus Cameras. Following a struggle to save the building over a period of time things were looking up by 1994 and now, 30 years later, Dimbola is a popular visitor attraction as well a special place for locals to visit with not only the galleries but the tea room. Brian introduced Gill Kennett DL MBE, who spoke on behalf of Lord Lieutenant Susie Sheldon. Gill said that she remembered the struggle to save the house and members of her family were instrumental in carrying out renovation work on the building. Artist Julian Bell, President of Dimbola, gave a resume from the initial battle led by the fearsome Councillor Ron Smith, up to the present day. During the afternoon, a statue of the Lady of Shalott, a character of poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson, was unveiled by Julia Cameron in the Dimbola Garden. Sculpted by Canadian Timothy Schmalz, a great admirer of Tennyson, who was keen for the good folk of Freshwater to enjoy the work of art. Councillor Emma Cox Chair of Freshwater Parish Council spoke about the project to get the statue to Freshwater, which had originally been undertaken by her predecessor, Cllr Daniel James. Celebrations continued including an illustrated talk by Dr Nichole Fazio. Nichole completed her doctorate in the History of Art at Oxford University, specialising in 19th-century visual and material culture, with a focus on photography. She was a postgraduate fellow at Trinity College and supported by an Oxford Overseas Research Scheme Fellowship. Her book, Julia Margaret Cameron: a Poetry of Photography, celebrates the expansive collection of Cameron photographs held at the Bodleian Library and across the University of Oxford. It was on sale at Dimbola.