Save the date: The Bays Town Conversations | February 16th at Boojum&Snark, 6pm-8pm. Reserve your free spot by clicking here.
One element of the work we are doing at Creative Island, is to commit to convening a series of local conversations with the cultural community of each town on the Isle of Wight. The ambition is to speak about and listen to the particular challenges and opportunities that we all face, to explore collaborative opportunities, share information and network with others.
There have been multiple sessions held in Ryde, West Wight & Newport, and we’re now looking to establish & invite creatives in Sandown and surrounding areas to connect and collaborate. Back in September 2024, we held an incredibly positive session, with attendees sharing their wishes for Sandown, Shanklin and Ventnor. We’re thankful for that strong introduction, and we’re looking forward to continuing those conversations in the hopes that the The Bays goes from strength to strength.
On May 19th 2025, we hosted another Bays Town Conversations, this time at Sandown Library. Dialogue specialist Caroline Pakel guided the session, introducing the practice of generative dialogue – a way of connecting through shared values, listening, and deeper understanding beyond formal partnerships.
Key themes included:
- A shared desire to change perceptions – both of Sandown and of ourselves
- More collaboration and connection across creative projects
- A need for accessible spaces that bring people together year-round
- The importance of supporting young people, giving them platforms and purpose
- Celebrating what’s already here and helping others see it too (venues like Boojum and Snark, Wight Aviation Museum, and Bembridge Fort for example)
Since then, a ‘mini town conversations’ group has been established, specifically for Sandown/Shanklin area, which was held at Boojum and Snark, who are hoping to meet more frequently than twice a year. At this session, it was mentioned that residents and creatives alike should join the Sandown Hub Facebook page, to stay up to date with what’s happening around the area and to stay connected.
