Friday 23rd May
Presentation to the 'allies'
 


CG: We make the final touches and we are ready in good time. The local press arrive - Joanne Jamieson from the Shetland Post interviews several of us, and Shetland Times photographer takes group shots. The 'allies' arrive. The presentation begins with an introduction by Maggie to the Maakin project. Susan then talks about PAL and how Pal has worked within the Maakin Lab. Heather and I make a short presentation about On the Edge research in a much more formal way than earlier in the Lab. This is followed by the studio presentation of the projects and the map, connecting individual collaborations with the whole process.

The buzz is good. There are lots of questions and some bemused looks. Many projects are seen as challenging. It would appear that the local knitters have done unexpected things. Several feedback luggage labels are completed by our guests - many are complementary.

"Inspirational work from all. Fantastic to see creative developments for the future"

"Hope some final products eventually reach the market place – great ideas"

"How great it has been to bridge the gap between education, industry, craft and art and to see what happens when creative risks are taken with such enthusiasm"

"Fantastic! Some great ideas for us to take into our work!"

HD: The major disappointment was that few of the local funders came to the Allies day. Were they at some other event? Did we give them too short notice? We need to let them see what’s happened in some other way. This can be real problem in rural remote. I remember when I worked in publishing it was difficult in Lewis too.

We have a final brief group meeting and agree that to continue the Lab in some form and the project ideas are a must. Susan notes that in her experience of PAL Labs across a range of disciplines and sectors, it is the spaces in between which are interesting, in this case, between education and industry. The analogy of 'seams' is suggested - a kind of liminal space where the labs and OTE exist!

CG: We have to pack up. The work needs to stay on the island with the knitters and we agree to make a plan to carry on some of the ideas remotely. The goodbyes are genuinely difficult – we have bonded and it's difficult to leave. Everyone is exhausted but excited and looking forward to future collaborations.

SB: The next stage is critical. Everyone is exhausted and goes back into their lives with the usual pressures of survival, deadlines, routines etc… The strongest projects will demand further development. Others will need encouragement. All activities on the island need the active support of people living on the island to lead them from now on. The Lab has an unpredictable life of its own now.

A pre-planned 4 day mini-lab in September/October could consolidate much project planning for the future; including an event to gain support of stakeholders (who would have ideally been more directly engaged in the project by now), the development of the web design/management team (all of which we spoke of well before the Lab). Solid funding possibilities for the future are a part of all of this. I am not sure who will take the lead here. New patterns will emerge through Hazel in her role as indigenous crafts officer, I think. others will join in too if they are a part of the process of overall development.

Time for reflection over the next few weeks after the Lab will lead to some feedback from participants, which will be useful. The real test of reality determining the next phase will be what happens over the next 3 months leading into some kind of an autumn meeting of Lab participants who have formed active projects with committed collaborators to take them forward.

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