Encounters Shop open now in the Gallery

Guest blogger Ruth Ben-Tovim, from Encounters, writes about the Encounters Shop currently open in the Gallery…

What’s going on in the shop?

Inside the shop we have created a series of different ‘Invitations To Join’ In’ that enable visitors to leave a trace of themselves behind. Our shops are the reverse of a usual shop in that they start empty then the shelves slowly fill up with stories, memories, ideas and creations that people leave behind. We are open two days a week on a Tuesday 11am-5pm and Wednesday 11am-7pm. During our first four days of opening we’ve had about 100 people through the doors and quite a few people have come back, a bit like a regular corner shop! Shop visitors have included Dartington volunteers, who came to help launch the shop; students from Schumacher College, who are studying Sustainable Development; people who came along to SounDart Radio’s First Spark Festival; people out on a walk; local artists; alumni of Dartington College of Arts; members of staff; families who live on the estate and one or two people who heard about the shop through our weekly radio slot on SoundDart Radio (11.30 on Tuesdays). The shop is open to all and everyone is welcome. Please come and visit us.

As well as things to do in the shop there are also things to see as the evolving installation of people’s contributions grows. It’s also a place to just come and chat, sit comfortably on some of the furniture we’ve brought in here from around the estate: 1930’s Lamy comfy chairs, a long 1960’s office table and, in the middle of the room, the circular 1930’s Elmhirst dining table and chairs. It feels appropriate to us that this furniture is being put to use in the space as a backdrop to talking about Dartington’s past, present and future.

In this regular blog we will share some of the riches that people are leaving behind. Its clear to us after just 4 days how much emotion and deep connection people have with Dartington, people love this place and feel very passionately about it. We’ve heard frustration and anger about the college closing, some fear and confusion about the future but also recognition of a time of opportunity and renewal.

How can you join in?
There are lots of different ways to contribute. Below are examples of just a few…

Recipe Cards
In the centre of the dining table is a recipe card asking people to leave behind a recipe for creating a sense of belonging at Dartington. Here are a sample of recipes, please come in and add your own.

“Acceptance, warmth, interest, two way conversation, challenges, recognition, variety” (Sally, 65)

”Listen to the quietest voice. Ensure the good natural evolvements endure (i.e. the memory path higher close to Aller Park). Overwriting is not always a good idea’ (Jenny, age 30)

“Home – wherever you go make it beautiful and be optimistic. This way you’ll find home anywhere. Love – forgive don’t be jealous, let love take control of everything this way you’ll truly be happy.”

“Participation and engagement, sense of community ownership over projects, meeting your husband and getting married at Dartington!” (Alicia, 36)

”Trusting the trust, consultation (local), transparency, honesty, integrity’ (Liz, 59)

“4 eggs, 1lb flour, 11b butter, ½ 1lb of sugar, a grate of Zest humour, 1 smidgen of silence, a large handful of creativity. Mix with the minds of many” (Andrea)

Blackboard Questions
Each week we are asking a different set of questions on a large blackboard and visitors add their own chalked answer. Here are some of the responses:

What keeps you going?
People, Ideas, Landscape, Unicorns, Trust, Curiosity, Spirit, Art, Sea, Parties, The deep-seated desire to disprove the futility of existence, Coffee, Sunshine, Water, Trees, Music and singing, My children, Commitment to change, Twiglets, Knowledge of death, Love, My garden, Kindness, Faith, Spontaneous laughter, Daydreaming, Red bull, Passion, Jimmy, Past success, Morecombe and wise, Belief that things can be better.

What holds you back?
Resistance to change, Daydreaming, Fear of failure, Fear of letting others down, Fear, Time, Bureaucracy, Nothing when you really think about it…
Forgetting to ask for help, A ‘them and us’ culture – why don’t they do something? My limited energy, Insecurity, Complete poverty, Pain, Patience, myself, Overwhelm, Angry people, Perfectionism, Lack of time, Old age, Not knowing what I need, Lack of confidence, Lack of money and time, Abject terror of doing something/anything, Negativity, My mum, Jealousy, Only seeing the trees and only rarely the wood

What Question do you most want to ask?
How do we learn to listen more compassionately? When can we have a canteen? Is change always a good thing? What does ‘sustainability’ mean to the Dartington Trust? How to encourage approachability and community engagement? How can the wondrous understandings held in Schumacher College be shared with those who are not in the academic elite? Who is most likely to actually tell the truth about decisions that are being made/planned? Do you remember Margaret Bar Dance Mime Theatre? Are we good? If you could achieve anything in the world, what would it be?

What would you change?
Opinions and perceptions, Less meetings more action, Less corporatism – celebrate diversity, Gather the wisdom and expertise from the local community give local people meaningful work instead of bringing people in from outside, Less ‘silo’ working – genuine one Dartington, Studios for local artist to rent at reasonable rates, Going round and round in circles- spirals are better, Use the space for grass-roots involvement and meeting, Transparency – clarity – straightforwardness, My willingness to stop and listen, Our educational structure so that natural curiosity was encouraged and celebrated.

Come in and see what next week’s question will be or bring a suggestion for a question…

Lastly, here’s just a handful of comments from our visitors:

“Great to have a chance to hear and share stories about this place I love so much and is so much a part of me.”

“What a lovely idea – enjoyed the sharing of stories about such a very, very special place in my life.”

“Refreshing, I loved this stillness and space with quietness to feel part of a future emerging.”

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