2001
This was the time when the UK celebrated an Anglo-Japanese year-long event called "Japan 2001".
At the end of 2001 a works of art competition was launched which invited artists to submit a piece of work in any medium e.g. paintings, sculpture, installations, prints, textiles, photography, music compilations, stories, poetry etc. etc.
2002
Early in that year the UK artists submitted their entries from which the finalists were selected. Ultimately, three NW judges unanimously chose the mixed media painting "Trusting Relationships . . . in Space and Nature" by Scott Baron as the winner.
Part of the prize received by the winner was two return tickets to Japan, generously donated by Japan Airlines.
Scott Baron was unable to travel due to a prolonged period of illness in 2002.
2003
After much thought and lots of discussion about how best to use his tickets to Japan, Scott decided to share his good fortune with others - including some individuals and groups who traditionally were regarded as disadvantaged - and began to formulate and build a project.
Ideas of linking art work in the UK with similar efforts in Japan were developed. This led to the creation of a project called "Joining Hands Across the Water".
Later in the year individuals were identified and groups were established in the UK and they began to create and produce pieces of art work that could be easily transported to Japan.
Evolution led to the emergence of the following two initial art forms:
1. Friendship art boxes
2. Visual art works
2004
Artwork continued in the UK.
Later in the year Scott travelled to Japan and began to establish contacts with individuals and groups . . . and began to give away the art works which he had taken from the UK to Japan.
Partnerships were created to promote practical activity. Other partnerships have been created to form networks.
2005
The project was the first to be recognised and supported by the "EU-Japan Year of the People-to-People Exchanges" initiative . . . and has the unique reference number 0001.
In the spring Scott returned to Japan for a few weeks and began to consolidate the work of the project and lay the foundations for further exchanges in the Autumn of 2005 and beyond.