What does it mean to call yourself an artist — and who gets to decide which artists make the grade?
In this episode of We, The Poets, Mark Grist is joined at Backland Studios by sound producer Chris Barn for a rare behind‑the‑scenes conversation about what it actually takes to make creative work happen — before welcoming poet, facilitator and community organiser Georgia Preece into the studio.
Georgia is in the early stages of building a bold, grassroots, multi‑disciplinary arts celebration in Lincoln — one that centres creativity happening below the usual scenes and stages. From poems written in Notes apps to crochet on the sofa, dubstep-loving dads, Warhammer painters and artists who don’t yet call themselves artists, this episode explores creativity as something lived, not labelled.
Alongside the conversation, we feature a powerful range of submitted poems, including:
Dan Webber with To All the Boys — a moving, hopeful reflection on queer representation and visibility. You can find more out about Dan here: https://linktr.ee/DanWebber
Lisa O’Hare with The Kids Are All Right. You can find out more about Lisa's work here: https://lisaoharewriter.com/
Brian F. Kirkham with Crows. You can find more of Brian's work here: https://inkdrops.blog
Louise Machen with My Ancestors Are From the North. :Listen to more from the audiobook 'Which Way the Words Grow' here: https://linktr.ee/shaks.sw
John Dredge with Lunch with the Laureate
Dave Horgan with Anxiety Asylum. You can check out Dave';s TikTok here: https://www.tiktok.com/@dave.horgan.poet?_r=1&_t=ZN-92GbcgjSA9G
Lore Green with The Space in Between. Lore's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lore.green?igsh=MWtobzdkanM2NzFudg==
Georgia also performs her own urgent and uncompromising poem The Kids Aren't Alright, written in a single sitting and rooted in the realities facing young people today.
Together, we talk about grief and creativity, labels and belonging, endless tasks that go into making larger projects happen, the joys of funding applications and spreadsheets, the quiet labour behind community projects — and why being “in between” - sitting in the gaps out of our audience's sight - might be exactly where artists do their best work.
A reflective episode about process, patience, and making space for voices that don’t always get heard. We hope you enjoy it!