Inspired@Wight Art Exhibition & Charity Auction 24/11/04

Ryde Theatre, Ryde, Isle of Wight

Inspired@Wight is an exhibition of local contemporary and traditional art, craft and design. Part funded by the European Social Fund, the exhibition has been organised collaboratively by The Surrey Institute of Art & Design University's Creative Enterprise Initiative and the Isle of Wight Enterprise Agency.

Inspired@Wight takes place on 9 December at the Ryde Theatre, Ryde, Isle of Wight and the exhibition will be open between 12 - 5pm. It is open to the public, as well as gallery owners, and admission is free.

Providing a unique opportunity to view and purchase original art from local artists, visitors will also be able to meet the artists themselves. Due to the popularity of the event, each of the twenty exhibitors has been specially selected by a panel, ensuring high quality work covering different aspects of the creative arts.

In addition to the exhibition, there will be a silent charity auction of work donated by the exhibitors, providing the chance to gain a piece of original artwork and help a local charity, the Julia Margaret Cameron Trust, at the same time. The Julia Margaret Cameron Trust aims to ensure the preservation of Dimbola Lodge in Freshwater, Isle of Wight and to provide historical information on Julia Margaret Cameron's life and works. Julia Margaret Cameron was a photographer in the nineteenth century and is known for her portraits of eminent people of the day such as Lord Alfred Tennyson, Robert Browning, Charles Darwin and Sir Henry Taylor.

For further information on Inspired@Wight or the Creative Enterprise Initiative please contact Sam Mellows, Exhibition Co-ordinator, by calling 01252 892840 or e-mailing smellows@surrart.ac.uk. Details on Inspired@Wight and other CEI events can also be found on www.surrart.ac.uk/cei/events.htm.

ENDS

Note(s) to the Editor

1. The Surrey Institute of Art & Design University is one of Europe's largest specialist colleges of art, design, media and communication, with around 3,500 students studying on more than 30 programmes leading to diplomas, degrees and postgraduate qualifications. A thriving and vibrant community of researchers, staff and students, the Institute is home to the Crafts Study Centre, Animation Research Centre, Centre for Sustainable Design and Anglo-Japanese Textiles Research Centre. Alumni of the Institute include product designer and founder of Seymourpowell Dick Powell; Changing Rooms' Linda Barker; fashion designers Owen Gaster and Gharani Strok; and Oscar-winning animators Daniel Greaves and Michael Dudok de Wit.

2. In April 2004 the Governors of The Surrey Institute of Art & Design University and the Kent Institute of Art & Design gave their approval in principle for the two institutions to move towards merger. Marking a joint desire to pursue attainment of university status, both institutes are now developing a joint business plan.

3. Julia Margaret Cameron began her extraordinary career in 1863 after being given a camera by her daughter in law at the age of 48. She embraced photography with a passion bordering on obsession. In a little more than a decade, she produced hundreds of searching portraits of some of the most eminent figures of the Victorian age. Romantic portraits of literary figures such as Alfred, Lord Tennyson, Robert Browning, Charles Darwin and Sir Henry Taylor, give way to beautiful portraits of women friends, servants and family - replete with the solemn eyes and long flowing locks. For more information on the Julia Margaret Cameron Trust, visit www.dimbola.co.uk.

4. The Creative Enterprise Initiative (CEI) is funded through the Higher Education Innovation Fund of the Higher Education Funding Council for England. The CEI provides support for new business start-ups and enables The Surrey Institute to work in partnership with regional enterprise agencies to aid new business generation and business sustainability in the region's creative economy.

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