At StoneCrabs Theatre, we recently concluded our Force of Nature project, an initiative supported by Isle of Wight National Landscape as part of ‘Discovering Landscapes’ project. From January to June 2025, we explored some unique locations on the Isle of Wight, such as Ventnor Botanic Gardens, Brading Downs, the Longstone, and Newtown Nature Reserve.
Celebrating the seasons
These walks took place alongside the spring equinox and summer solstice, commemorating the vibrant seasons. All ages were welcome, and the responses of artwork, poetry, music, and photography were encouraged.
Watch it on film
At the end of the project, a last meet-up looked back over the sessions and the works they had inspired. Many of the events had been captured by filmmaker Sam Lapham and a film screening took place. You can watch on our Youtube channel now.
Testimonial
Our Associate Artist/Producer Trainee, Ben Murray-Homes wrote a short piece about the final event, celebrating the creativity, friendship, and explorations of the participants:
Wednesday evening saw the conclusion of the fantastic ‘Force of Nature’ project, a
beautiful and inspiring testament to human connection and our natural world led by
indomitable artists Rebecca Tremain and Katy Suggitt. Culminating in a fabulous short
film shot by filmmaker Sam Lapham, the event was the finale of a ten week project from
February to June 2025 which saw Rebecca and Katy invite participants with barriers to access to
connect/reconnect with nature across various locations across the Isle of Wight.
Their walks, ranging from the blustery beaches of Sandown to the scorching hills above
Mottistone, were expertly showcased in the aforementioned film allowing us in the
invited audience to develop a serious case of FOMO. However, it wasn’t just the lush
landscapes of the Isle of Wight that we pined for, it was the camaraderie of a group of
disparate individuals finding friendship and connection as they traversed, chatted and in
one heartening scene, sang.
The project, which was part of the ‘Discovering Landscapes’ project funded Isle of Wight
National Landscape” , was created to bring together Islanders of all ages and backgrounds to foster
an artistic response around the themes of community and the environment. Through exploration of both
landscape and creative voice, those that took part were able to find a common
connection, one which was beautifully shown in the accompanying short film.
As an honoured guest, and somebody who knew very little about the project, I was
delighted to see the fruits of Rebecca and Katy’s labour with artifacts of the walks laid
out on a table for guests to see. Amongst the various curios on display including
feathers, stones and wool, there were also a number of photographs and art pieces
created by individuals who took part which reflected the spirit of the project.
I was able to see how much work went into making people feel welcome but also
creatively fulfilled. This wasn’t just a walk in the park, it was a richly rewarding
experience both as a participant and as a viewer. To Stonecrabs, Rebecca and Katy,
thank you for creating it.
