Homage to Andrew Brown

 Homage to a friend   24.10.24

Andrew Brown

Today we received the news of the departing of an old friend and as we remembered so many stories of such a humble, loving, sensitive, serving man,. I immediately thought of a piece of performance we created that he was pivotal in.

So that is why i turn to this blog and as well as wonderful, family and friendship stories, there flood in how he quietly helped Shallal.  How he willingly became a trustee for a short time when we first became a charity and was always quietly supportive with wise gentle insights when asked for.

So back to the performance, as always, she has always kept us on our toes, agile, inquisitive, I was looking for a platform to showcase Zoe's dance skills, that would stretch her and give her visibility, and I thought of Andrew. Why? Because one of his many and main talent was music he had studied in Cremona, Italy, the home of violin making for seven years learning Italian and how to make violins, https://www.myluthier.co/post/violin-making-in-cremona

He was often seen cycling along the seaside 'prom' in Penzance with his cello strapped to his back. He would often sit and improvise for us and had an innate sensitivity. So we asked him if he would play for Zoe, at the same time i met Victoria Field who had just finished a poetry residency in Truro Cathedral and her poems were beautiful, insightful and, again, sensitive. So then we had a trio and then we needed space. We had no funds for it so we asked local churches to be our venue and toured to three! It suited the quiet, respectful, beauty and peace.

http://www.poetrypf.co.uk/victoriafieldpage.shtml

Thank you to Andrew for sharing his love of music, for his sensitivity as a musician and a person and his innate, kindness and generousity.  He moved into a care home a few years ago as he had increasing dementia and Parkinsons, however his brother recalls that he still would sense when someone was unhappy and just go and hold their hand. 

All the best communication with him was within silence and stillness. He was also an Alexander teacher.https://alexandertechnique.com/

We are considering doing some dance pop ups inspired by him and his care for others.

Which could link into our new On Board project...more soon

post....https://www.instagram.com/p/DBhukdkIisk/?img_index=1

Women of Cornwall features nominations for Shallal's chairperson and creative director!

 Women of Cornwall

TAKE PART IN WOMEN OF CORNWALL! Find out more and suggest a woman to feature in a new collection of plates for Art Centre Penryn 

https://www.instagram.com/womenofcornwall/

A friend told me I was 'on' instagram, "no "i said, then yes was the answer as i found the post and more importantly the post for Hennie our chair person.

For those of you who don't have access to instagram i'm copying them into here!!

Henrietta Boex 
Arts, Culture, Activist 
 
Suggested by Janet Mitchell 
 
Janet says, “Before taking up the post of Director at Falmouth Art Gallery in 2013, Henrietta Boex was project manager of a major redevelopment at Porthcurno Telegraph Museum. During her 10 years in her ‘dream job’ at the gallery she used her energy, enthusiasm and tenacious spirit to create an ethos of inclusivity. She adopted innovative approaches to accessing the gallery, underpinned by a belief in art as a source of inspiration and wellbeing for all, and opening it up through exhibitions, events and activities for all. Henrietta was particularly interested in the Cornish marine artists, notably Charles Napier Hemy (1841 –1917) and Henry Scott Tuke (1858 – 1929) and curated some terrific exhibitions of their work.  
 
As head of cultural services for Falmouth Town Council, Henrietta has been involved in the restoration of the Dissenters’ Burial Place, the regeneration of the Princess Pavilion as a cultural hub for Falmouth, and the Kimberley Park Lodge project, revitalising the building for the benefit of the community in partnership with the local, community radio station, Source FM. 
 
Henrietta’s love for art, Cornwall and life in general bubbles over infectiously. She makes me want to join in, find out, explore. I think other people respond to her in the same way. 
 
Henrietta is only one eighth Cornish, but that strong thread goes deep and a long way back through a connection to Nicholas Sara shipbuilder (d.1894), one of the oldest members of the Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society.” 
 
On her retirement in 2023, Kirstie Edwards then deputy Mayor commented “her patience, tenacity and kindness … has been hugely helpful and supportive”.  Henrietta is Chair of Trustees at Shallal and a consultant at the Royal Cornwall Museum.” 

JO WILLIS
Inclusive performing arts

Suggested by Deborah O’Nyons

“Jo Willis established Shallal, an inclusive dance theatre company in 1985, welcoming everyone regardless of age, ability or gender. She was ahead of her time in recognising the talent of people society chose to isolate and cast aside. Shallal is an improvisation performance group and a family, supporting members through loss, change, ill health and hard days.

Jo enables people to connect with parts of themselves long forgotten, to awaken joy in movement and dance. With a gift for holding space and bearing witness to things that everyone brings to a group, Jo has a vision of equality and the ability to see beauty in everyone. Meeting Jo changed my life: her open invitation to dance with Shallal brought such joy and connection.

Jo’s home is embedded in community, a place where she welcomes people, offering shelter. During covid she connected with communities digitally and coordinated visits to people’s homes where an individual dancer would perform in the garden for an isolated individual.

Born and raised in Cornwall, Jo says she has the heart of a Cornish gypsy. Her connection with the land has driven her creative vision. Passionate about environmental protection, signing Shallal up to culture declares a climate and ecological emergency, she educates the group about climate action, and seeking ways of working that will protect Cornwall.

Shallal has grown from its beginnings in Newlyn into community groups across county and a studio at Krowji, Redruth. They have created artwork, dance and poetry performances in libraries, church halls, outdoor spaces, heritage sites and theatres in Cornwall. In September 2024, Jo accepted a prestigious Awen Medal from the Grand Cornish Bard, on behalf of The Shallal Dance Theatre

Jo has created an amazing legacy of visual, signed, spoken and written art by people living and working in the county.”