Zoe

 Dear Zoe

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

55 today and yesterday we celebrated with friends from many parts of your life, Shallal was a large part of it all.

"And i just want to share my immense gratitude for years of working with you and watching your intense creative drive!

Thank you for a such a rich creative life, full of fun and friendship."

It is always an honour and a privilege to be alongside people and Zoe and i have known each other for about 38 years, through lifes landmarks: births, marriages, death and all ...

her gifts and creative drive and connection were often at the forefront of what we did, especially in the early years.

Shallal has grown, it is bigger than any of us and we are so happy to see people thriving in these creative settings and on the way many of us forge strong friendships and relationships through the joy of creativity and spontaneous sharing.

Can't do justice to Zoes input but found these old photos many from our first Porthmeor Residency in St Ives and was moved to see Sally in them. Sally was an old friend of Zoe's who died this year. She was also full of joy and fun and an amazing artist, who never quite had the exposure she could have, every painting was a joyous celebration often of flowers and then chickens!  And a photo with Trevor on his 70th birthday.

An old photo with Zoe and Phil Jacobs.

Both had love of photography/film - which continues.

Phil has recently donated a lighting rig to us- Many thanks.

In Shallal we believe in the continual provision of access to the creative arts, not just one off projects.

We see people flourish, and from increased confidence in their own creative process, it becomes a transferable skill and they often delve into other art forms.

We see how the playfulness in creativity and improvisation, can give access to joy and connection.

We support each other in the groups through hard times by being constant, an available supportive activity.

A positive distraction which allows self expression but focuses on the positive, life affirming nature of creativity and connection.

We can also practice, caring for each other, being supportive, finding our place in community.

Those who work with me know i dont 'do' much, i sit and 'watch' that is my doing,

 and one of the pleasures and privileges in that,  is seeing the care and connection that creativity can create in a room and which you can take with you into other areas of your life.

Thank you to everyone

And a big Thank you Zoe for being with us from the beginning and a catalyst to so much in Shallal and a good friend.