Ryde’s smallest art gallery – Re:Box – is marking its 2nd anniversary this month with an installation that celebrates the Museum of Ryde. Local creative Naomi Baisley, while studying for her MA in Graphic Design, became intrigued by the ‘Rydeosaurs’ that are held in the Museum of Ryde’s collection. 40 of these cast-iron mythical creatures were installed in the Ryde Pier shelters during a Victorian upgrade. When they were temporarily removed during a later restoration, it seems only 38 made it back to the pier. The Museum of Ryde has since acquired the 2 ‘lost’ Rydeosaurs for its collection. To raise awareness of the Museum, Re:Box – a former telephone box on Lind Street that has been repurposed into an art gallery – is featuring the Rydeosaurs this Summer. Naomi said:
“The underground Museum of Ryde holds many secrets and stories about our town. The history of the Rydeosaurs, the guardians of the pier, is one such story that has been a delight to discover and re-tell.”
“The Rydeosaurs have been immortalised in both the Mayor of Ryde’s regalia and in the logo for the Historic Ryde Society so to see them now larger than life in this iconic phone box is wonderful.”
The Museum holds a remarkable collection of Ryde-related treasures that includes maps, prints, newspapers, photographs and countless historic objects. The team is working hard to keep this valuable resource open to the public. If you’d like to help with fundraising or volunteering you can contact them at [email protected]. The Museum is running a special offer of £1 off entry to the Museum if visitors can tell them how many Rydeosaurs are featured in the current Re:Box installation (normal entry is £5).
