After submitting the necessary documents to the Malta Arts Fund, I was eagerly awaiting a reply and was contacted to pitch the idea to a panel!

The event was in Valletta and at the Malta Arts main office and did not know what to expect.

Walking into the place, I was greeted with a number of other eager artisans.It felt like an examination room where anxiety, stress and fear filled the air.

I honestly did not know what to expect and was excited to not only show my idea but to learn the process in Malta and adapt.

When I was called in, the room was dark and damp. Filled with young Maltese, they began to look down at my application and proceeded to ask me questions about the Forgotten Landscapes project.

What made me step back was their coldness. I did not feel a connection and had an instinct that something was not right.

Regardless, I explained the idea in the best way I could and after all was done, I stepped out and made me think again about ways to improve.

Mark M.