lacemaker and designer, was one of three daughters of the five children of Tasmanian Premier Sir James Milne Wilson and of Deborah Hope ne é Degraves. She and her sisters were active participants in the cultural activities of Hobart, Ada being an exhibiting member of the Art Society of Tasmania. In particular she was among a group of lacemakers interested in creating their own designs from Tasmanian flora and fauna who established a committee to promote a School of Lace Design in Hobart in 1908 aiming to 'further the development of local characteristics and to hasten the time when Tasmania may have well known and well defined laces of her own’.
The members of the committee were: Patroness, Lady Edeline Strickland; Vice Patroness, Lady Dodds; President, Miss Ada Grey Wilson; Committee Members, Mrs McFarlane, Mrs David Barclay, Mrs Stourton, Miss Anastasia Hall , Miss M. E. (Patty) Mault , Miss Louisa Swan and Mr George Clark. Believing their aims would be assisted by a lace exhibition, they mounted a large ambitious lace show at Hobart in the summer of 1910. It was successful, but no Tasmanian School of Lace Design eventuated. Miss Wilson exhibited lace with the Arts and Crafts Society of Tasmania between 1910 and 1913. In 1914 she went to live permanently in England. In 1938 she donated her collection of lace and lace designs to the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery.
- Writers:
- Dufour, Mary
- Date written:
- 1995
- Last updated:
- 2011
