The dream (not quite) in ruins

It's tempting to see the demolition of 4 Red Lion Lane (pictured) as somewhat symbolic. After all, I spent two years (2006-2008) working very very hard as a founder of the Exeter Studios Project to get shared workspace up and running in this semi-derelict building. And I now have nothing to show for it. Or do I?

Having secured the building in September 2007, we had it fully let to around 30 artists and makers in a matter of weeks, with an official opening in November 2007.  It's true I didn't get to benefit from the studio space for long (I left after my fellow directors repeatedly insisted that things such as health & safety and company law didn't apply to us and our 4000sq ft workspace because we were "only artists"). But the legacy is still there - in the shape of EVA Studios, which grew out of the original project.

Now based in a shared building on the city outskirts, the project has strayed a long way from its original vision, but there is at least ongoing large-scale studio provision in Exeter. It was a tough getting there and even tougher having to walk away.  But I'm hugely proud to have made it happen.

A 17-colour logo? Because we're worth it.

Last week a rather surprising communication dropped through my letterbox. Arts Matrix was announcing its relaunch by sending me three publications and a letter - all of them printed in the fullest of full colour:  two oversize-A2 folded leaflets (one a networking calender, the other an events calendar), and one on folded card with foil blocking telling me about its general all-round brilliance as a skills development agency. 

The whole package was contained in a full colour, large-size envelope and cost 72 pence to post (to me and thousands of other creative professionals across the South West).

Given that Arts Matrix went into voluntary liquidation just 12 months ago due to the“very challenging financial and economic period for development agencies in the sector”, you'd think it might have approached its relaunch with some caution. And possibly shown a little more sensitivity to the hundreds of creative professionals across the South West who are in the midst of making very hard choices about the future of their organisations, their work and their personal livelihoods.


www.artsmatrix.co.uk