‘Malta’s Magnificent Megalithic Monuments’ on display at Tusculum College

malta1An international photography exhibit, “Malta’s Magnificent Megalithic Monuments,” opens at Tusculum College on Tuesday, March 1, and will remain on display through April 12.

The exhibit, which features the photography of Daniel Cilia, includes 31 stunning photographs that highlight breathtaking shots of Malta’s megalithic monuments dating back to 3600 BCE. In addition, photographs feature ancient pottery, prehistoric artifacts and scenic shots, all taken in the country of Malta, an island nation located in the Mediterranean.

The exhibit is on loan to Tusculum College through the month of March and is on display in the Thomas J. Garland Library lobby.

“We are extremely grateful to the assistance of or Dr. and Mrs. D. Bruce Shine of Kingsport for coordinating the loan of this exhibit to Tusculum College,” said Dr. Nancy B. Moody, president of the college.

Shine is a 1960 graduate of Tusculum College and a 15-year member of its Board of Trustees. He served 11 years as board chair. Shine, who received the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws from the institution in 1984, and his wife, Betsy, have developed close ties with the country of Malta through Shine’s years teaching at the International Maritime Law Institute and coordinated not only the loan of the exhibit, but also a visit by Malta’s Ambassador to the United States Mark Miceli to the college near the end of the exhibition. Shine serves as Honorary Consul of Malta for Tennessee and North Carolina.

malta2A reception to honor Malta’s Ambassador Miceli will be held on Sunday, March 27, from 3-5 p.m. in the lobby of the Thomas J. Garland Library. Ambassador Miceli will also spend time on Monday, March 28, visiting with students at Tusculum College to discuss the exhibit, as well as Malta’s emerging role in the European Union.

“We have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of the photographic exhibit of ‘Malta’s Magnificent Megalithic Monuments’ particularly given Malta’s recent international exposure as a refuge for citizens fleeing the crisis in Libya,” said Shine. “We are hopeful that this exhibit will serve as the first of many endeavors that will be mutually beneficial to Tusculum College and the University of Malta.”

The artist whose work is being shown, Daniel Cilia, had his first solo exhibition at the National Museum of Fine Arts in Malta. He has also received the Licentiate of the Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain. His photos have been published in more than two dozen texts and he is especially well-known for his photographic studies of Malta, including its prehistoric temples and artifacts.

The exhibit had been shown in Newfoundland, Canada prior to coming to Tusculum. The next exhibit site will be in California.

For more information about the exhibit, please contact Barb Sell at 423-636-7303.