When it comes to turning a passion into a creative vision, Neil Cole has probably achieved what for most of us would remain a pipe dream. Neil has taken his love and enthusiasm and created... The Museum of Classic Sci-Fi!
A permanent exhibition that has materialised in Allendale, an unassuming village in the heart of North East England, the Museum showcases a substantial collection of original alien props, monstrous costumes, artwork and visual effects that many would recognise from the realms of science fiction on the big and small screen.
Rather than leave iconic pieces to gather dust in a basement, Neil has in fact turned that basement into a celebration of storytelling and imagination for everyone to experience and enjoy.
From Star Trek to the Marvel Universe; from Planet of the Apes to leaping forward to Buck Rogers in the 25th Century.
Neil has even rescued and restored rare items that might have otherwise been destroyed beyond their onscreen use, and are now used to showcase a cultural heritage of genre stories and our fascination with all things above and beyond.
But being an Art Teacher turned Great Curator isn’t as easy as it sounds. It has certainly presented a unique set of challenges, from Daleks battling local Councils, to keeping an artistic venue going throughout a series of national lockdowns.
In this episode, Neil shares the power of creativity in his life - and the importance of following through with a creative vision, even when that vision may seem alien to others.
You can also support The Museum of Classic Sci-Fi by becoming either a Space Cadet, Starship Trooper or Space Guild Navigator and receive a wealth of content via Patreon.