A set of keys and a growing to do list

In the last post, we were a week away from getting the keys and getting quite carried away imagining what we could do with the place. We picked them up on July 29th, so we can now confirm that having the keys does make it feel more real. It also gives you access to all the jobs you’ve been talking about doing.

We’re now in Unit 17 in Paisley Shopping Centre, through EP Spaces, and still very much in the getting-things-ready stage. There’s painting happening, things to organise and plenty left to work out. If you’re wondering whether we’ve quietly finished everything and forgotten to tell anyone, we definitely haven’t.

It’s taking time, which we knew it would. Although knowing something will take time and wanting it all ready immediately are apparently two feelings you can have at once.

A lot of this is happening around work and everyone’s other commitments. Mint is volunteer-run, so progress depends on when people can get in, what we can afford and what needs doing first. Some of those jobs are more exciting than others. Thinking about an exhibition is lovely. Working out all the practical bits that need to happen before people can come to that exhibition takes a bit more patience.

But we’re getting there.

We’re still thinking about how the space can work for different people. Somewhere to take photographs, sit with a laptop, lay out a zine or bring along some prints you’d like another opinion on. We’d love to have exhibitions, workshops, artist talks and portfolio evenings as things develop. A darkroom is still on the wish list too, although that’s a project for further down the line. We should probably finish painting before giving ourselves another room to build.

Something we want to be clear about is that the space is temporary. It’s a meanwhile space, which has given us the chance to get started somewhere we otherwise might not have been able to. We don’t know exactly what the longer-term picture will look like, but the intention is for Mint to keep going beyond this particular unit. We’re hoping the relationships and projects that start here will come with us wherever things go next.

There have been people getting in touch about joining in, too, which has been lovely. We’ve been chatting about projects, inviting contributions and arranging opportunities for people to see the space. At the moment, getting involved is quite informal. A conversation, joining the group chat, sharing what you’re interested in and seeing where you might fit.

You don’t need to arrive with a finished project or a plan for an exhibition. Being interested is a perfectly good place to start. We’re still figuring things out ourselves.

Alongside the space, we’ve been working on the website and shop. We are working on some T shirts, and we’re building up the zine and print side of things as well. Seeing the name on actual things is a bit strange after spending so long trying to choose one.

The shop is one way we’re trying to help fund everything. We want purchases to put something back into the space and the exhibitions, workshops and creative projects we’re working towards. There’s also an option to donate if you’d like to support us that way. Even a few quid helps when you’re starting with very little and steadily discovering more things you need.

The Kelburn Terrace zines have arrived though, which has been a lovely bit of progress amongst all the setting up. It’s a photography project made using digital and film, looking at a sense of place and loss without people appearing in the photographs. Having the finished copies in our hands makes a change from looking at pages on a screen, and selling them will help support Mint too.

We’re also working towards a members’ zine, bringing together work from people involved in the group. It feels like a good way to make something together while we’re still getting the physical space ready, and to give people a sense of the different work being made here.

There’s been plenty happening in the background as well. Funding applications, practical arrangements and conversations about how we keep this going. We’re still waiting to hear about funding we’ve applied for, so for now we’re doing what we can with what we have.

We’re grateful to everyone who’s helped us get this far. EP Spaces, Renfrewshire Council and Engage Renfrewshire have all been part of that support, and Glasgow Kelvin College has played a big part in the learning and connections that helped us get here in the first place. Then there’s everyone who’s offered furniture, shared a post, given advice or asked how it’s going. Those things help more than you might realise.

The next thing we’re working towards is getting the space ready enough to hold our first exhibition. We haven’t got a date to announce yet. There’s still work to do before we get to that point, but it’s something to aim for, and we’re excited to eventually have people in and see work on the walls.

For now, you can have a look around the website, browse the shop or get in touch if you’d like to be involved. And thanks for sticking around while we get everything going.