"What draws you to the sea?"
Time spent InTheSaltSpace
InTheSaltSpace is all about time spent with purpose at the sea's edge. This is a space full of natural change; a powerful meeting of elements and timescales - a space that can teach us, feed us, and offer us a chance to review who we are, what we do, and how we do it, in a very deep manner. This is a space where, in a creative and a collaborative way, we may ground ourselves and release the usual societal burdens we carry, in order to consider together some of the larger issues at hand.
InTheSaltSpace specifically and consciously encourages and supports women in particular to step out of their usual spaces and busy timetables, into this space that is completely other. Liberating ourselves temporarily from all domestic and cultural expectations, the agendas and roles we normally bear in other spaces, time spent in this clean and unique type of space can free us to move towards our most authentic selves and perhaps our most important creative work.
How InTheSaltSpace began
The first steps on our InTheSaltSpace journey were a pilot series of Bude-based days, developed in collaboration with Kate Stark of Bude Climate Partnership and with support from Rowen Mackenzie of the North Cornwall National Trust, linking with free Carbon Literacy Training and working with small groups of local women in autumn 2024.
This was followed by a series of similar days in spring 2025, commissioned by and delivered in partnership with the North Cornwall National Trust at Crantock, and connecting into their work on Making Space For Sand in the area - looking at how we recognise and adapt to the natural changes brought about by a changing climate, shifting sands, rising tide levels and increasingly extreme weather events.
A special 'Time:Tide:Tech' event at Crackington Haven in spring 2025 was supported by and formed a part of the Cornwall Festival of Tech 2025 with Tech Cornwall. This event allowed us to explore the innovative use of AR, VR, ambisonic sound recodring and other digital technology InTheSaltSpace, opening up some exciting new ways of working, creating and capturing the work done in that space, and how we might digitally share this with a wider public in the future.
What happens InTheSaltSpace?
This work is specifically tailored to each location and group and comprises accessible arts practices, observational prompts, gentle creative tasks and open questions, along with short presentations and longer conversations that touch upon the nature of time, the science of climate change, local geology, coastal erosion, rising tide levels, our personal connection to the coast and the wider natural world. Each session becomes a shared journey through a creative and exploratory space, where participants are able to step into new ways of seeing and connecting with the world around them and with each other.
As participants have described their experiences InTheSaltSpace so far, this can feel “powerful”, “timely”, “important” and “vital”. Some have spoken about the "excellent facilitation and a perfectly chosen environment", stating they were: "inspired to feel I can engage with difficult climate issues in a supportive and well held space." People can often arrive without knowing what to expect, but they come away afterwards feeling deeply connected and alive.
InTheSaltSpace collaborators & supporters
We're delighted to be sharing this journey with some amazing and inspiring people and organisations, and are meeting and connecting with more of you continually!
Thank you to our partners, supporters, collaborators, and everyone who has joined us on this journey to date: including Kate Stark and Bude Climate Partnership; Rowen Mackenzie and Hannah Pickard with the North Cornwall National Trust; Garry Hunt and team at Cornwall Festival of Tech and Tech Cornwall; Barnaby Kay and the Two Bays Trust; Henry Cavender and the Seedlings Fund; Nicolette McGuire and Karen Howse; and others.