“Powerful,” “timely,” “important” & “vital”
What is InTheSaltSpace?
InTheSaltSpace is a new initiative founded in North Cornwall in 2024 - presently a small-scale project with big ideas. It uses purposeful time spent in natural coastal and other wild spaces to foster female empowerment, begin new dialogues, explore climate concerns and generate positive community change through creative, spacious, arts-led approaches. It is very rooted in Cornwall, Devon & the south west UK.
The brainchild of North Cornwall-based arts practitioner, Laura Frances Martin, the concepts behind this work have developed over a long time and through a series of conversations, reading & research, observation & experience; and were first piloted in practice in October 2024, in collaboration with Bude Climate Partnership & the North Cornwall National Trust. Since that time it has continued to grow and develop.
"coastal space & time, creativity, connectedness & change"
The core principles of InTheSaltSpace
Coastal & natural wild spaces as unique learning environments
When we spend purposeful time and space at the coast, or in other natural wild spaces, this can completely alter our perspective, change our minds and teach us entirely new ways of seeing, thinking about and being in the world. This in turn can lead to profoundly positive and empowering personal and professional shifts.
Creativity's impact on adaptability & change
The coast in particular is a space full of natural change, where many forces naturally meet and interact. Working creatively and deliberately in this space and witnessing these interactions frees us to acknowledge, accept, internalise, embody and adapt to understandings about how change is inherent to life.
Connectedness & collaboration that builds community
When we spend deep shared creative time in small groups, we may open up unexpected aspects of ourselves, reaching a set of deep and unique personal understandings, and a new sense of alignment with others and with the world. This tends to open us to community and unfurl wonderful ways of sharing and collaboration.