EH:WH Weekend Workshop – Hannah Sofaer

A 'walk descending through geological time' – a journey through 140 million years of Earth history.

A large Amphitheatre/performance space – for multi-purpose use; film projection, music, theatre, performance, lectures, etc.

Study and skills training facilities for stone carving and sculpture with outdoor exhibition area.

Key access points to the quarry which will provide different routes of interpretation, with a newly built entrance at the back of the Drill Hall overlooking the whole quarry.

A natural regeneration area with creative new landforms to encourage maximum colonisation by indigenous limestone flora and fauna.

A high vantage point with spiral pathway to overlook the quarry that will enable people to see 'land narratives' of past and present life forms.

We have successfully used a cross-disciplinary model of learning exchanges, to create new structures and connections that bring wide access and engagement with the quarry environment. This has resulted in the exchange of creative ideas, between different areas of expertise, engaging with the landscape and all aspects of stone. The model identified a need for sustainable educational initiatives, as a catalyst for new approaches to learning. We found that there was a great deal of shared interest in collaborative projects that brought a new understanding of the earth, the evolution of life it supports, and the use of its natural resources. Artists were necessary to this relationship, having the flexibility to develop ideas across the concerns, and making work in the context of the quarry environment. The continuation of an audio-visual archive, that captures quarrymen's memories of the landscape, and stories of stone, gives a first hand experience of Portland and its people. It also passes on real values and meanings, and in the context of our project this needs to be understood.

One off projects that are not sustainable and unaware of local and regional planning priorities.
People running with a project where the idea has been well thought out, discussed and developed by another group. Friction is often created by not involving the people that originated the idea. This can lead to poor results and a dilution of the original idea.
Losing sight of the vision for a project because of outside influences.
Expending energy in trying to convince local politicians who are not supportive .
People who do not want to accept an overview of the project and only want to deal with an area that fits within their interests, so that things become pigeon-holed.
Having really good materials and ideas, but needing more staff time and resources to effectively deliver.

Maximize the promotion and marketing opportunities for the project.
Develope new educational opportunities that preserve the cultural heritage and access new ways of interpreting and conserving the geology and the ecology.

		jh
		Cultural heritage
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		The Portland Sculpture and Quarry Trust Hannah Sofaer and Paul Crabtree Portland Sculpture and Quarry Trust The Drill Hall Portland Dorset http://www.learningstone.net/

		What Works Our project, led by the arts and regeneration successfully connects with the cultural heritage of Portland's stone-working traditions, through interpretation and education initiatives, developing new approaches to conservation and geo-tourism. We have been working in a disused and historic quarry environment for over twenty-one years, where we have set up a creative and educational resource, based on the philosophy of actively engaging people in learning about stone in its place of origin.

		Our case study reviewed the work to date and outcomes of a one-year research and development project, supported by MIST and eleven other partners, towards establishing an education and interpretation centre that provides a focus for the cultural heritage of stone-working, geology revealed through the quarrying process, the ecology of regeneration by indigenous flora and fauna, and uses of stone in art and architecture.

		We focused on the future use of the old Drill Hall (Learningstone Centre) and the regeneration plans for Independent Quarry, which are central to 11 contrasting quarry environments within a half a mile radius, connected by a circular walk.

		The plans make a valuable contribution to the story of Portland stone, within the Quarry Park initiative. The plans illustrated A 'walk descending through geological time' – a journey through 140 million years of Earth history. A large Amphitheatre/performance space – for multi-purpose use; film projection, music, theatre, performance, lectures, etc. Study and skills training facilities for stone carving and sculpture with outdoor exhibition area. Key access points to the quarry which will provide different routes of interpretation, with a newly built entrance at the back of the Drill Hall overlooking the whole quarry. A natural regeneration area with creative new landforms to encourage maximum colonisation by indigenous limestone flora and fauna. A high vantage point with spiral pathway to overlook the quarry that will enable people to see 'land narratives' of past and present life forms.

		We have successfully used a cross-disciplinary model of learning exchanges, to create new structures and connections that bring wide access and engagement with the quarry environment. This has resulted in the exchange of creative ideas, between different areas of expertise, engaging with the landscape and all aspects of stone. The model identified a need for sustainable educational initiatives, as a catalyst for new approaches to learning. We found that there was a great deal of shared interest in collaborative projects that brought a new understanding of the earth, the evolution of life it supports, and the use of its natural resources. Artists were necessary to this relationship, having the flexibility to develop ideas across the concerns, and making work in the context of the quarry environment. The continuation of an audio-visual archive, that captures quarrymen's memories of the landscape, and stories of stone, gives a first hand experience of Portland and its people. It also passes on real values and meanings, and in the context of our project this needs to be understood.
		What doesn't work One off projects that are not sustainable and unaware of local and regional planning priorities. People running with a project where the idea has been well thought out, discussed and developed by another group. Friction is often created by not involving the people that originated the idea. This can lead to poor results and a dilution of the original idea. Losing sight of the vision for a project because of outside influences. Expending energy in trying to convince local politicians who are not supportive . People who do not want to accept an overview of the project and only want to deal with an area that fits within their interests, so that things become pigeon-holed. Having really good materials and ideas, but needing more staff time and resources to effectively deliver.

		What could we do better Maximize the promotion and marketing opportunities for the project. Develope new educational opportunities that preserve the cultural heritage and access new ways of interpreting and conserving the geology and the ecology.

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What doesn't work