Support Tides Fine Art Gallery, Mumbles
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Tides Fine Art Gallery
A Sea-Change at Tides: Keeping Kindness and Creativity in our Community
About Me
I’m Jo: an artist and gallery owner who – having been a full-time professional artist for a number of years – has been fortunate enough to have been able to establish a small artist-focused gallery in the heart of Mumbles, Swansea, over the past few years. In that time, Tides Fine Art Gallery has earned a strong reputation – both for supporting local artists and as a result of having showcased my own ocean art. You can find out more about the gallery at my website – https://www.tidesfineartgallery.co.uk-- as well as through my social media sites : https://www.instagram.com/tides_of_mumbles. https://www.facebook.com/artjofrost/ https://www.twitter@jofrost28417494
When Covid-19 hit, Tides Fine Art Gallery had no option but to close its doors so as to keep everyone safe in accordance with the government’s guidelines. Sales have, naturally, plummeted during that time, and the gallery’s very existence has never looked more uncertain. The gallery has been forced into a very vulnerable position; the question of whether or not it can continue to sustain itself and to support other artists has been plaguing my mind. On top of all of this, it was very disheartening to find myself the victim of theft this week when objects were stolen from the front exterior of Tides; they have yet to be recovered. I’m asking, therefore – at a time when things are so very hard for so many people – can you help me to keep kindness, creativity and the comfort of art in our community?
The government grant scheme does not benefit small businesses like mine. When 80% of my net profit is divided by 12 – awarded as 3/12 (1/4)as a grant – the sum is insufficient to cover even one month’s rent, let alone anything else. Regular expenses continue to be incurred and, as I continue to paint in the hope that it won’t be too long before the lockdown is lifted and sales pick up, materials and other such costs are adding up. The considerable loss of seasonal takings has not been factored in by the government; spring and summer are the busiest times in Mumbles. Naturally, the added stress of trying to cope in these times of adversity impacts one’s ability to focus and to be creative, too.
Looking Forward; Pay it Forward
Having spent a great deal of time reflecting, thinking and planning during these months in lockdown, I have come to the conclusion that I would like to give my all to taking Tides Fine Art Gallery into the future. In order to do so, though, I need to make some crucial changes so as to ensure that I can help my artists to make a sustainable living. Moreover, I need to be able to provide new, innovative ways in which customers can view and purchase these wonderful artworks; I need to ensure that they can be confident in the quality of such works on the basis of high-quality images of them.
As such, I need to fund several strategies in order to get my new vision for Tides off the ground: all of which will take time and money to organise and to effect. I have no intention of asking for “handouts”, though – I want to make sure that you, too, as my loyal customers and supporters get something in return. I am, therefore, asking that anyone who is in a position to do so participates in a “pay it forward” scheme. This means that, for any funds that you donate now, you will be rewarded with a voucher – of the same value – that you can use towards a purchase of one of my works thereafter. The vouchers will be useable for a period of 18 months from the date of donation.
Invest in Our Future: How You Can Make A Difference
All of the funds that are raised will, in turn, provide or support the following schemes and services:
Funds with which to purchase a high-quality DSLR camera which would enable me to accurately log all of the gallery’s artworks. With such images, I can upload high-quality depictions of these works to the gallery’s website and can also forward the images to prospective clients and customers; in the first instance, artworks could then be viewed remotely in such a way that the images resemble the original work of art as closely as possible. Having the ability to do so is more important than now than ever before – and this will continue to be the case for the foreseeable future. Where – in the past – we could enjoy leisurely wandering around shops, getting up close to artworks in galleries, our ability to do so going forwards will be greatly restricted. Tides Fine Art Gallery is a tiny physical space; I want to offer an improved remote service to our customers so that art can be viewed and enjoyed remotely – before prospective buyers follow up with arranged viewings – until such a time that the freedom to pop into Tides Fine Art Gallery can be restored to us once more.
Funds with which to upgrade the gallery’s website. This would increase the opportunities for customers to purchase lower-priced items such as prints and small paintings with just the click of a button. This time last year, I employed a webdesigner to create a wonderful website for Tides. However, ended up having to take court action; the individual who had agreed to work on the site took payment but did not deliver on his promises. Although the court found in my favour, the designer still owes me over £1000, having also wasted valuable time. Future alterations to the website will be undertaken by a personally recommended web designer.
Funds with which to produce podcasts and videos that could be disseminated on a regular basis among our growing customer base. In doing so, new dialogues could be stimulated between artists and customers in a forum beyond that of traditional face-to-face meetings.
Funds with which to support and mentor other artists. As an artist-led gallery, I have always kept commission rates as low as possible for our artists at Tides. I want to keep things that way and to serve both artists and the public equally well. I am determined for the gallery to continue to be artist-led, supporting artists in widening their audiences, advising them about how to produce professional portfolios, helping them to submit their work to galleries that are further afield, and empowering them to grow professionally. As an experienced and qualified teacher of art– as well as being a small business owner and artist with over 30 years of experience behind me – I want to be able to provide artists with mentoring packages so as to support and assist them in their professional journeys, whichever stage they may currently be at: whether an individual isa student or a more experienced artist. This is a service that I believe to be quite unique; it is one that is perfectly suited to my skill set and commensurate with my level of experience. Furthermore, in delivering a mentoring programme of this kind, I will – in my own small way – be helping to bridge the gap between the worlds of artists and galleries. This will be a personal, bespoke service.
I will provide an interest-free option for customers who may wish to purchase artworks from Tides. The Arts Council of Wales has paused its interest-free “Collectorplan” service for the time being: at a time at which both artists and customers need it most. Having a purchase option of this kind is an invaluable asset for all parties and I would like to protect it.
The Artist Support Pledge initiative on Instagram offers a means by which paintings may be sold at a reduced rate to buyers and to other artists. Artists pledge that, once they have raised £1000 through the sales of their own works through the scheme, they will buy an artwork from another artist in keeping with the scheme’s “pay it back” philosophy, thereby sustaining a running stream of income for artists collectively. This has worked well overall – but there is no filter in place to ensure that the pieces of work that are being promoted and sold through the scheme are of equally high quality. I have some concerns that the success of this platform may be contingent upon the promotion of work by devaluing its true worth. In addition, there are now so many posts that it is hard to see the wood for the trees. Tides Fine Art Gallery – through marketing and communication activities via social media – seeks to support local artists by showcasing their work in positive, meaningful ways. At Tides, we believe in providing good value for money for customers while also rewarding our artists correctly and fairly.
I would be most grateful for any help and support that you can provide by investing in the Tides community – in our artworks and our artists. For many artists, like me, creating art is not just a hobby: it is my passion, my way of life, my livelihood.
The power of artwork to bring comfort and joy during these difficult times has been proven by the sheer number of people, from children to the elderly, who have taken the time and effort to produce and display their own artworks in their household windows with beautiful and creative rainbows, drawings and thank you messages. I, in turn, have tried to make the most of this time in lockdown to not only hone and experiment with my own artistic style – but also to produce practical resources for the NHS such as mask extenders, participating in the Portraits for NHS Heroes project, and supporting and promoting other local businesses wherever possible. Now, in the gallery’s time of need, I’m calling on your kindness to ensure that Tides can continue to serve our local community going forwards: we want you to join us in our new venture and to help us to turn the tide.
Thank you.
Jo
https://www.instagram.com/tides_of_mumbles
A Sea-Change at Tides: Keeping Kindness and Creativity in our Community
About Me
I’m Jo: an artist and gallery owner who – having been a full-time professional artist for a number of years – has been fortunate enough to have been able to establish a small artist-focused gallery in the heart of Mumbles, Swansea, over the past few years. In that time, Tides Fine Art Gallery has earned a strong reputation – both for supporting local artists and as a result of having showcased my own ocean art. You can find out more about the gallery at my website – https://www.tidesfineartgallery.co.uk-- as well as through my social media sites : https://www.instagram.com/tides_of_mumbles. https://www.facebook.com/artjofrost/ https://www.twitter@jofrost28417494
When Covid-19 hit, Tides Fine Art Gallery had no option but to close its doors so as to keep everyone safe in accordance with the government’s guidelines. Sales have, naturally, plummeted during that time, and the gallery’s very existence has never looked more uncertain. The gallery has been forced into a very vulnerable position; the question of whether or not it can continue to sustain itself and to support other artists has been plaguing my mind. On top of all of this, it was very disheartening to find myself the victim of theft this week when objects were stolen from the front exterior of Tides; they have yet to be recovered. I’m asking, therefore – at a time when things are so very hard for so many people – can you help me to keep kindness, creativity and the comfort of art in our community?
The government grant scheme does not benefit small businesses like mine. When 80% of my net profit is divided by 12 – awarded as 3/12 (1/4)as a grant – the sum is insufficient to cover even one month’s rent, let alone anything else. Regular expenses continue to be incurred and, as I continue to paint in the hope that it won’t be too long before the lockdown is lifted and sales pick up, materials and other such costs are adding up. The considerable loss of seasonal takings has not been factored in by the government; spring and summer are the busiest times in Mumbles. Naturally, the added stress of trying to cope in these times of adversity impacts one’s ability to focus and to be creative, too.
Looking Forward; Pay it Forward
Having spent a great deal of time reflecting, thinking and planning during these months in lockdown, I have come to the conclusion that I would like to give my all to taking Tides Fine Art Gallery into the future. In order to do so, though, I need to make some crucial changes so as to ensure that I can help my artists to make a sustainable living. Moreover, I need to be able to provide new, innovative ways in which customers can view and purchase these wonderful artworks; I need to ensure that they can be confident in the quality of such works on the basis of high-quality images of them.
As such, I need to fund several strategies in order to get my new vision for Tides off the ground: all of which will take time and money to organise and to effect. I have no intention of asking for “handouts”, though – I want to make sure that you, too, as my loyal customers and supporters get something in return. I am, therefore, asking that anyone who is in a position to do so participates in a “pay it forward” scheme. This means that, for any funds that you donate now, you will be rewarded with a voucher – of the same value – that you can use towards a purchase of one of my works thereafter. The vouchers will be useable for a period of 18 months from the date of donation.
Invest in Our Future: How You Can Make A Difference
All of the funds that are raised will, in turn, provide or support the following schemes and services:
Funds with which to purchase a high-quality DSLR camera which would enable me to accurately log all of the gallery’s artworks. With such images, I can upload high-quality depictions of these works to the gallery’s website and can also forward the images to prospective clients and customers; in the first instance, artworks could then be viewed remotely in such a way that the images resemble the original work of art as closely as possible. Having the ability to do so is more important than now than ever before – and this will continue to be the case for the foreseeable future. Where – in the past – we could enjoy leisurely wandering around shops, getting up close to artworks in galleries, our ability to do so going forwards will be greatly restricted. Tides Fine Art Gallery is a tiny physical space; I want to offer an improved remote service to our customers so that art can be viewed and enjoyed remotely – before prospective buyers follow up with arranged viewings – until such a time that the freedom to pop into Tides Fine Art Gallery can be restored to us once more.
Funds with which to upgrade the gallery’s website. This would increase the opportunities for customers to purchase lower-priced items such as prints and small paintings with just the click of a button. This time last year, I employed a webdesigner to create a wonderful website for Tides. However, ended up having to take court action; the individual who had agreed to work on the site took payment but did not deliver on his promises. Although the court found in my favour, the designer still owes me over £1000, having also wasted valuable time. Future alterations to the website will be undertaken by a personally recommended web designer.
Funds with which to produce podcasts and videos that could be disseminated on a regular basis among our growing customer base. In doing so, new dialogues could be stimulated between artists and customers in a forum beyond that of traditional face-to-face meetings.
Funds with which to support and mentor other artists. As an artist-led gallery, I have always kept commission rates as low as possible for our artists at Tides. I want to keep things that way and to serve both artists and the public equally well. I am determined for the gallery to continue to be artist-led, supporting artists in widening their audiences, advising them about how to produce professional portfolios, helping them to submit their work to galleries that are further afield, and empowering them to grow professionally. As an experienced and qualified teacher of art– as well as being a small business owner and artist with over 30 years of experience behind me – I want to be able to provide artists with mentoring packages so as to support and assist them in their professional journeys, whichever stage they may currently be at: whether an individual isa student or a more experienced artist. This is a service that I believe to be quite unique; it is one that is perfectly suited to my skill set and commensurate with my level of experience. Furthermore, in delivering a mentoring programme of this kind, I will – in my own small way – be helping to bridge the gap between the worlds of artists and galleries. This will be a personal, bespoke service.
I will provide an interest-free option for customers who may wish to purchase artworks from Tides. The Arts Council of Wales has paused its interest-free “Collectorplan” service for the time being: at a time at which both artists and customers need it most. Having a purchase option of this kind is an invaluable asset for all parties and I would like to protect it.
The Artist Support Pledge initiative on Instagram offers a means by which paintings may be sold at a reduced rate to buyers and to other artists. Artists pledge that, once they have raised £1000 through the sales of their own works through the scheme, they will buy an artwork from another artist in keeping with the scheme’s “pay it back” philosophy, thereby sustaining a running stream of income for artists collectively. This has worked well overall – but there is no filter in place to ensure that the pieces of work that are being promoted and sold through the scheme are of equally high quality. I have some concerns that the success of this platform may be contingent upon the promotion of work by devaluing its true worth. In addition, there are now so many posts that it is hard to see the wood for the trees. Tides Fine Art Gallery – through marketing and communication activities via social media – seeks to support local artists by showcasing their work in positive, meaningful ways. At Tides, we believe in providing good value for money for customers while also rewarding our artists correctly and fairly.
I would be most grateful for any help and support that you can provide by investing in the Tides community – in our artworks and our artists. For many artists, like me, creating art is not just a hobby: it is my passion, my way of life, my livelihood.
The power of artwork to bring comfort and joy during these difficult times has been proven by the sheer number of people, from children to the elderly, who have taken the time and effort to produce and display their own artworks in their household windows with beautiful and creative rainbows, drawings and thank you messages. I, in turn, have tried to make the most of this time in lockdown to not only hone and experiment with my own artistic style – but also to produce practical resources for the NHS such as mask extenders, participating in the Portraits for NHS Heroes project, and supporting and promoting other local businesses wherever possible. Now, in the gallery’s time of need, I’m calling on your kindness to ensure that Tides can continue to serve our local community going forwards: we want you to join us in our new venture and to help us to turn the tide.
Thank you.
Jo
https://www.instagram.com/tides_of_mumblesOrganizer
Jo Frost
Organizer
