Una chose to send one of her daughters on a ship to Canada and the other to Bermuda, in the hopes that one of them would survive the crossing. At that time, ships crossing the Atlantic were being sunk by U-boats so frequently that Jillian’s mother, renowned sculptor Una Hanbury (who was also Colin’s mentor and hero), faced the unthinkable but distinct possibility that one of the boats would likely go down. Born in London, she came to the United States as a young girl to escape the Blitz – the bombing of London in WWII. Jillian began her adventure in this world August 11, 1930. The theatre features classic and family films, concerts, plays and other entertainment, plus offers educational and community services to connect residents and visitors. She procured the funding within a couple days and did everything she said she was going to do.īeautifully restored, the Island Theatre, a performing arts center and community cornerstone, is now owned and operated by the nonprofit Chincoteague Island Arts Organization, which Jillian founded (with the impossibly cool acronym “CIAO” of course). She sounded so inspired! Then she said, “Well, all I need to do now is come up with $100,000 to purchase the building!” While outwardly supportive, inwardly my heart sank as I thought, “In these times and over the holidays? Oh, that’s going to be pretty near impossible.”īut, as I learned, I didn’t know Jillian then, and “pretty near impossible” is clearly a long way from impossible. Jillian had decided this movie house needed to be renovated and reinvented to become a cultural arts center that would benefit the local community. She was focused on a vintage movie house built in 1947 on Chincoteague Island that had fallen into serious disrepair – so much so that it was scheduled for demolition. It was Christmas time and we were chatting about her latest venture. I first met Jillian in 2008, in the midst the global financial crisis. Perhaps “lived” is simply too mild a word to describe the zeal and dynamism with which she blazed her path through creation, inspiring people from all walks of life to join in her vision of a reality in which artistry of all kinds would thrive, be celebrated and benefit the world. And she lived her life as a bold manifestation of this guiding principle. So said Colin’s mum, Jillian Hanbury Poole. Today, I want to share something more personal but strongly tied in to a life in art that may have a message for everyone.
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