Friday, 26 June 2009

Arts and Business proves a successful marriage for local artists!


The Alley Theatre recently launched a new Artist Gallery within the North West's leading department store, Linton and Robinson's. Supported by Arts and Business NI, this fantastic new venture works on several different levels. Firstly it will enable local artists the opportunity to reach a totally new client base, secondly it offers Linton's to offer a very unique product and make them "stand out from the crowd" in a busy retail sector, and finally for the Alley to implement its arts development mission. The launch was a tremendous success and I strongly believe if things go well, this project could run and run. See below the editorial which was seen across the North West.



New North West Artist Gallery launch hailed a success!

The launch of the new North West Artist Gallery, based within Strabane’s Linton and Robinsons’ department store, has been hailed by organizers as a “tremendous success for local artists and Strabane”. Featuring the artwork from 5 local artists, ranging from funky contemporary portraits, delightful sculptures and more traditional landscape and fine art works, the gallery was officially opened last week to large audience of dedicated art lovers and those interested in purchasing a unique item for their home.

“Linton and Robinson has been part of the community in Strabane and throughout the North-West for well over 50 years now. It is therefore very fitting that in conjunction with the Alley Theatre and through funding via Arts and Business NI, that we should promote local artists within our new Furniture 2 department store” commented Joe Barber, Manager at Linton and Robinson. “We hope the artists will benefit by having their works on display within a modern store, offering them extra exposure to the public and media. This is a new venture for Strabane and Linton’s, and when you see how the store has changed over the last 5 years, you can certainly see Strabane is changing, re-inventing itself and becoming far more competitive in the retail, arts and cultural tourism sectors.”


The North West Artist Gallery has been developed in association with the Strabane’s Alley Theatre and Arts & Business NI, a not for profit organisation, which aims to promote mutually beneficial relationships between business, the arts and the public sector in order to increase private sector investment into the arts through investment programmes. Commenting on the launch, Alley Theatre Manager, John Kerr stated “This has been a wonderful exhibition launch and I certainly hope that the public support this innovative project, which is showcasing some amazing pieces of new artwork, at what I must say is some excellent prices. By purchasing a piece you are not only supporting local artists, but you made never know a purchase might prove to be a valuable investment for the future.

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