A first in Ireland, the release of a collection of 20th century images to the Public Domain. The decision was taken to digitise the Sybil Connolly Collection in high resolution and dedicate it to the public domain with the blessing of John Connolly, Sybil’s nephew.
The majority of the collection was acquired between 1999 and 2000 by The Hunt Museum. The aim of this bold step is to increase the use of the collection in education, by creative industry and in research by removing any copyright restriction.
Images are already accessible in the online version of the exhibition Sybil: A career in design, which will outlive the current physical exhibition on at the Hunt Museum until 31 May 2018. Some of the collection is on Pinterest and Instagram but next steps are to add the collection to Wiki Commons and write some articles on Sybil and her influence on Irish design, use of Irish textiles, báinín wool, tweed, handkerchief linen, Carrickmacross lace and her entrepreneurism moving into interior design, glass and ceramics.
A Wikipedia Editathon is being held at the Hunt Museum, Limerick 17th - 19th May, with help from Limerick Lace, the Limerick City Museum and the Limerick City Library, the Hunt Museum Docents, the people of Limerick, and thanks to Eamonn O’Mahony for creating the beautiful images.
Ireland’s Wikipedian Rebecca O’Neill says, "Fashion and design really needs a boost in Wikipedia so adding this collection to Wiki-Commons is brilliant. The Sybil Wikipedia Editathon at the Hunt Museum aims to also get a few more people able to create and improve Wikipedia articles."
Jill Cousins, Director of the Hunt Museum explained, “We want to reach new audiences with our collections and believe that opening up will help us achieve this. With the help of the Wikipedia Editathon, we will improve the data and deepen the research of the Sybil Connolly Collection. We will then upload it to Europeana Fashion and together with the Wiki Commons upload serve the education research and creative industry communities across the world in more ways than we can imagine.”
John Connolly commented, “I am very pleased that this collection can find and influence new audiences allowing Sybil to live on for new generations, contributing to the knowledge that Ireland is an exporter of design and ideas, twenty years after her death in 1998."
Your help is needed to create & improve articles, highlighting the amazing achievements of Irish women in fashion and design, particularly those with connections to Limerick and it's lace traditions.
If you are interested in volunteering your time at the Wikipedia Editathon please complete the expression of interest form here.
