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.