Encounters Arts will be co-producing an iconic new mobile space that will support the environmental, cultural and learning needs of the area.

The group, based in Totnes, but involving five communities across South Devon including Stokenham and Kingsbridge held an information event at The Kitchen Table.

Held on Wednesday, November 22, the event which was relevantly located between the recycling and manufacturing heart of Totnes was a great success.

Rob Hopkins from Transition Network introduced Encounters to a crowd of guests including Cllr Julian Brazil, Alun Morgan from Plymouth University and Philip Eley, a youth worker from LINX.

Three leading artists, Ruth Ben-Tovim, Shelley Castle and Michael Martin invited people of all ages and backgrounds to get involved at any or all stages of the making of Chrysalis over the next year.

Ruth Ben-Tovim: said: “Over the years working in this area of Devon we have had the immense pleasure and honour of uncovering a huge number of enthusiastic, passionate, skilled and creative people.

“With this grant from Arts Council England we are now in the position of being able to offer workshops and shared learning space to the people here to help design, build and then use this fantastic tool for South Devon.”

Encounters specialise in designing participatory arts projects and interventions that inspire creativity, dialogue and exchange between people of all ages and cultures.

Fellow artist, Shelley Castle has encouraged people to keep an eye out for the introductory workshops in South Devon.

She said: “We are aiming to build new relationships to make and design this fantastic mobile space, addressing differing needs, being totally sustainable and also potentially developing some interesting technologies, from the structure, the surface, the textiles, to the engineering that enables it to be moved.”

Throughout the next few months, the artists will be working on the ground with organisations and individuals to deliver preliminary co-design workshops. If you are interested in getting involved or finding out more, then Encounters can be contacted through their website at www.encounters-arts.org.uk.