One of the things that Archimedes Design has always been focused on is seeking to create and foster a strong sense of community in our relationships and creations.

At

Gratitude Migration

with both the domes and the Fire Safety village we were deliberate and intentional about trying to build and hold space for others.

At this festival our team headed up Fire Safety. We care about the practical matters of keeping people safe while they do incredible things, and throughout our lives we have all acquired skills to help assist in these practical ways.

But we didn’t just want to work as Safeties. We also wanted to create a space where all our volunteers, performers, and any of the general public could come, hang out, learn about things and have great conversations.

We desire to create meaningful connections. For us the domes are just a container that can make space where people connect and grow with others.

For me Community has been a central stabilizing and informing force in my life. One that has been very personal, very present and has guided most of my life choices on a daily basis.

I think nowadays in a world which seems to favour the individualist, the importance of being surrounded by a strong community has dropped. While most people still need to be part of a community for life’s necessities, many people seem to be choosing a life outside of community living. But spaces such as the festival culture are starting to shed a more valuable light on how life changing being a part of a community can be.

As people who often live alternative lifestyles, finding support in the festival community from others who share your values can often be life changing. A community is an incredible space to bring people together to advocate and support each other in the fight to overcome difficulty. It means that we're not in the world alone, we're not fighting our battles by ourselves. It is a safe place where people can come to learn and grow into the type of people they want to become.

Not that being in a community is always easy. There can often be conflict, or ideas that don’t quite align. Being a part of something bigger than yourself is a humbling experience, and brings you up against challenges on a daily basis. But they are challenges that can help you, and others, to grow in a positive way.

There is something indescribably lovely about being a part of a group of people who share something more substantial than geographical location. . . something they feel passionately about. Something that, when shared, makes individuals seem less lonely.

For us at Archimedes, community building will always be at the forefront of what we seek to do. We want to have others to share our lives with, to care for and help in their time of need.

We believe that Gratitude Migration is a community. It is one that has welcomed us, supports us, and that we can continually seek to grow in a mutual way with. We are so grateful to be a part of this incredible community. We cannot wait to see all of the amazing things we’ll do together in the years to come!