Here we have Kirsty’s final piece for her writers residency with us. We have really enjoyed her writing, and hope you have too, do get in touch if you would like to contact her regarding her creative process.
Article 3 – Community
I think for creatives community is one of the most important things we can invest our time into. I don’t know about anyone else, but I find it so much easier to develop ideas and create when I have people to bounce off. However, even in a world of social media and unlimited events I find it’s difficult to connect with other likeminded creatives.
I guess the first and most obvious issue is not living in a city, specifically London. The number of times I’ve been so excited to see a new club or group pop up only to be disappointed because I can’t get to it. Access is such a huge issue! Understandably the places where there is a larger number of people are inevitably where these resources are. But despite social media, hold that thought I’m getting to it, so many people don’t have the opportunity for proper human interaction.
Now if we continue along these lines, often there are creative classes and opportunities in places local to people. Are they free though? Not for the most part! I know so many people, me included, that have just been priced out of anything creative around them. When the cost for a term is half a month’s salary or a one-off session is £60 most people can’t stretch to that. Now please don’t mistake what I am saying, these classes prices reflect the time and materials it costs to run them. But so often these are the only things local, so why isn’t there more low-cost events or even free clubs? Myself and two of my friends from college decided last year to set up a creative club, completely free that local people could come along and have that space to connect and just be creative. As we have gone along, we have developed what this looks like and currently are re-branding to fill where the gap is. So perhaps this is something that you could do, it could be a sketch club where you meet at different places to draw – inside or outside, or it could be a zine club where people can come and create zines around different things, or perhaps just a group to meet up, have a coffee and connect. I think the idea of starting something can often be quite intimidating but if there’s someone else that you can do it with or even if you give it a go and you decide not to continue with it there’s never any harm in trying!
If in person events are not your thing, then there are an enormous amount of online forums and groups to join. Whether it’s networking you’re after or you want to get feedback on work or you want to be part of a digital zine, there are endless opportunities out there if you look. Me personally, I do prefer in person events and meet ups but through social media and online sites I have found so many opportunities. From physical exhibitions, having my work published, live illustrating at an awards night and even designing a t-shirt – not to mention this residency! My creative world has grown so much from utilising platforms and actively looking out for things to apply for or volunteer with or just people to chat to. As I mentioned in my previous articles I am, like most people, prone to a little doom scroll though I am taking steps to reduce this. Create over consume for sure. But I do learn from other creatives and get inspiration from social platforms, like everything it can be a positive tool if you use it in a way that is advantageous to you.
Some closing thoughts for my final article of the residency :( Number one: do the scary thing, reach out to another artist on socials or start a club or apply for that opportunity that you don’t think you’ll get. There is no harm in trying. Number two: use social media as a positive tool not a procrastination tool, mostly, sometimes a bit of a doom scroll is needed. And finally, number three: do what works for you, just because it works for one person it doesn’t mean it works for everyone!
Side note: if anyone would like to reach out and have a chat or grab a coffee feel free to DM me @kirstybunce.art :)