Three New Exhibitions...

We are very busy here at "Business Towers" supporting artists who are exhibiting their art in Yorkshire. We have three exhibitions starting this month to take us through to the New Year. more information about each exhibition will be on its way.

South Square Studio Artists at New Bradford Playhouse. Open now, three of South Square's studio holders, June Russell, Patricia Calver and Tony O'Connell are exhibiting their work in the bar area of the New Bradford Playhouse in Little Germany, Bradford. visit the theatre's website for opening times.

Barcaeyes by China9

China9 at Central Hall, Keighley. Huddersfield based artist, Dex Hannon, exhibits unusual art as his alter ego, China9, at our regular exhibition space in Keighley, West Yorkshire. Show starts Wednesday 28th November. Check out the Facebook Event HERE

Labyrinth 

This is a first! Sally Storr and Jo Whitehead exhibit glass, ceramics and plaster at Otley Courthouse, West Yorkshire from Sunday 2nd December. The exhibition, called Vessel, explores the deconstruction of the purpose of containers that hold liquid. Visit the Otley Courthouse website for opening times. 

UK HANDMADE MAGAZINE

UKHANDMADE

The best on-line magazine for designer-makers is out now. It's packed with articles, features and inspiration and is a jolly good read! There's even an article by Yours Truly on Approaching Retail. And have you seen those beautiful mosaics by Lindsey Kennedy-Smith?  Check out UKHandmade today - it's free! 

Photography @ Central Hall

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Photography @ Central Hall opens to the public on Monday 5 September at Central Hall, Alice Street, Keighley. Admission to the show is free and this exciting exhibition show cases the work of two Yorkshire photographers, Kath Williamson and Steve Rayner.  Here is some more information about Sheffield photographer Kath Williamson. 

This series of images has been produced by Sheffield-based art photographer Kath Williamson. She has always felt particularly drawn to neglected gardens and allotments, as well as to those small and often overlooked corners in the city where nature is asserting itself. Seeming to tread a line between painting and photograph, her images reflect the transience, fragility and beauty of these wild places. 

“All is process. That is to say, there is ‘no thing’ in the universe.

Things, objects, entities, are abstractions of what is relatively constant from a process of movement and transformation.

They are like the shapes that children like to see in clouds..”

 (David Bohm, Physicist, 1917 –1992)

 Visit Kath's website by clicking HERE
The exhibition is open until Friday 14 October 2011. 

British Craft and Design Month

It's here! British Craft and Design Month is sponsored by Craft and Design Magazine to support designer-makers and inform the public of craft and design events in the UK.  Follow the events on the blog or add your own event to the website. 

Craft Fairs and Arts Markets

One of the most satisfying ways to sell your art is direct to the public and the most popular way is through craft fairs and art markets. Craft fair organiser Deborah de Brunner shares some details of her life as a promoter of artists and artisans in Yorkshire, UK.

"What is better than making something you dreamt up and someone wants to buy it? Or you see someone in the street carrying your handbag, the one made with your own fair hands? I have only been doing it a year and hope that that thrill won’t go away. But of course if you make things you need somewhere to sell them so you can start all over again.

"I enthusiastically turned up at my first craft fair, spent ages arranging and pricing and finally looked around to see mass-produced goods and some handmade things but handmade in the Philippines! I was so disappointed and that led to a discussion with a friend, which led to us setting up our craft fair business “made-it”.

"Our philosophy is to run “real” craft fairs strictly with only handmade goods which are sold by the maker. We also aim to look after our stallholders by offering friendly, efficient service with some level of exclusivity (who wants to turn up and find 5 similar stalls?). The quality of goods on sale and a good mix of stalls are important to us. We also make coffees, carry bags and do whatever we can to make it an enjoyable day. We even put ourselves on to the streets with a sign to drum up trade and put up with the same jokes and occasional rude comments from passers by. How devoted to our stallholders are we?!

"If I had to give advice to exhibitors I would say to really consider the presentation of their goods, use different heights, lighting, a good background cloth and make their prices obvious. People wander by and need something attractive to make them stop. Notice where people tend to look first and put your strongest product there or even a product that makes people smile and can lead to conversation. I would also exhibit at the same venue a few times to build up relationships with regular customers and to get a feel for what sells best there. The strongest advice though is to “sell” your things…our stallholders who put in the most usually gain the most. It can make you feel a bit self-conscious at first but you’ll soon enjoy it. Smile, chat and be enthusiastic about your craft.

"At the moment we are doing fairs in Harrogate and Wetherby but hope to spread our wings further a field soon. You can find out more about us or contact us at Made-it".