Dulwich Decorative & Fine Arts Society

Early in 2009 DDFAS made a donation to the children's department at King's College Hospital to provide art and craft kits for seriously ill children. This enabled the children to design their own T-shirts and to make soft toys, activities they really enjoyed. In view of this success we gave further funds, which were used to provide clock-making kits. We were delighted to receive photographs of some of the children and the beautiful items they had made. 

DDFAS made a donation in 2009 to ActionSpace, a charity in Croydon providing art classes for people with learning difficulties.  Our Chairman was invited to the annual exhibition of the work produced and was most impressed with the very high standard.  Unfortunately, ActionSpace is still very short of funds and may not be able to keep going in the future.

DDFAS gave money to Dulwich Picture Gallery to restore the frame of a 17th century painting by Richard Wilson (Tivoli, the Cascatelle and the Villa of Maecenas) to its original glory. Many layers of gesso were removed by the specialist restorer to reveal the original wood, which was badly split and riddled with woodworm.  Repairing the frame involved a lot of painstaking work, but the painting and frame are once again on view in the Gallery.

DDFAS is very proud to have jointly sponsored (with NADFAS Greater London Area) a new book about the furniture collection in Dulwich Picture Gallery, which is of world standard but not well known. The collection also has a fascinating history. The book was published on 30 September 2009 and is on sale to Gallery visitors.  All proceeds - except the cost of reprinting - will be used to renovate, restore and preserve the furniture collection.