Freezing winter, overpriced musty bed-sit, Camden Markets, selling my hat collection, Jean Paul Gaultier’s kilt, bad coffee, great parties, Battersea Power Station, The Orb, Acid Jazz, Frith St, Bar Italia (good coffee), independent fashion labels and way too many Aussies. Guided by instinct, I declined an opportunity at Mike Leigh’s Thin Man Films and headed for Bristol. The town that invented hot air balloons, Massive Attack and The Watershed Media Centre.

To a fledgling creative The Watershed was as safe as it was radical.

A space where art, film, music and technology danced with education, collaboration and mentorship and I wanted in.

With a thin resume, tons of enthusiasm, became Watershed’s Program Coordinator. Initially overwhelmed, my boss gently guided me into a world of experimental multi-media, early digital photography and creative technologies. Adapting and learning through experience, delivering programs with Adobe PhotoShop 2, Aardman Brothers’ (School’s Out) , Martin Parr’s (Home and Abroad), Gilles Peterson’s (Sunday Sessions) and Wildscreen Film Festival. Working at The Watershed never once felt like work - self expression was encouraged, collectively safe to be curious, explore and to grow. Bristol gave generously - sharing the lessons that need to be reinforced. Never underestimate the value of authentic storytelling, cultural diversity, music, art and community.