Written by Amy Hall.
You may have already met the Creative Island team, or even befriended them. A small but mighty core team of 6. It doesn’t come naturally to us to talk about ourselves, especially when there are so many incredible people doing incredible things across the Island. However, here’s just a small snippet into who we are as part of Creative Island and individually.
Get to know the people behind the projects. First up, meet Gavin Stride.
Who are you and what do you do at Creative Island?
I’m Gavin, and the director of Creative Island mostly responsible for the strategic direction of the organisation as well as sustaining and strengthening our partnerships both on and off island. That said, as a small team, with a huge ambition and desire to make change we operate very collegially with everyone getting involved across what we do.
Where’s your favourite spot on the Isle of Wight and why?
There are a number to choose from. The upstairs of Ingrams Yards in Ventnor or the alleyway that leads up the side entrance to Department in Ryde but I am going to choose Graft Studios in Sandown. Because all of these are new spaces that didn’t exist two years ago and are full of joy and potential to change the island for the better. I am constantly amazed by the level of ambition to try things out and cannot think of another place in the country with so much hope and optimism.
What makes the Island so great for you?
Well I have partly answered this already, however the range of possibilities, the preparedness to try new ideas, and to not wait for permission or expect others to make things happen. There is something about the scale of the Island and our ability to connect and collaborate that makes the Island a very special place. Yes, there are particular challenges, some associated with being an Island, but those challenges are often our greatest opportunities.
If you could change one thing about the Island, what would it be?
That we more confidently speak about what a remarkable set of communities we are and that we shift the perception of who we are nationally, so that we are recognised as a dynamic, disruptive and progressive place capable of finding solutions to the way we live our lives. I truly believe this. That the island has the potential to use culture and creativity to improve our lives that many mainland communities could learn from.
When you’re not at your day job, what can we find you doing?
It’s less of a job and more what I do, so even when running – and I do run – I am often thinking about this idea or that. But you will also find me endlessly pottering around with things that need repairing.
What does Creative Island mean to you?
It is the vehicle by which I would hope we can make an idea a reality. And that is what we, and the wider world, come to see the Isle of Wight as the Creative Island – in much the same way as Hay or Wye is recognised for books. What particularly excites me about this idea is that, yes, there might be a strong core of people making a living from their creativity, however I am as excited about everyone on the island having a sense of their own creative potential.
Check back to hear from the rest of the team.
