Things I mentioned in this morning's talk

I mentioned Washington Garcia at this morning’s talk, find the gallery at:
http://www.washingtongarciagallery.com/aboutus.html The interesting issue here is that often these spaces are started by groups of artists and that they can develop into career opportunities. Washington Garcia has been running for about four years in Glasgow. Initially they were going into empty buildings, painting them white and making the spaces as gallery like as possible. Then gradually as they built a reputation, developed a website and now they receive money from Glasgow International http://www.glasgowinternational.org/ to help support the shows they put on, as the city now recognises the importance of the shows they curate. The fact that they have targeted mid career artists to show has meant that they could very quickly establish a strong profile and other galleries have wanted to look at who they are showing. Sometimes it’s not about developing a space just to show your own work, but once you have established a toehold in the art community it’s much easier to then start accessing venues for your own work. Notice how they are now commissioning essays on the artists they are showing. A canny move that supports the artists’ CVs as well as helps generate interest in the work.

Also in response to this morning’s talk, see below some web-sites that could be useful if you were thinking about researching the way presentation could shape an audience's reaction to art work. Get used to what they offer and look for alternative suppliers. The more you know the more you can trade. Artists are always asking each other, “where can you get a…” if you know where, you can help and then someone owes you a favour. A large part of this business is built on people supporting each other and to do that, you need something to trade with.

Good iron mongers offer a wide range of fixings and fittings, including lots of hooks, hanging ideas and brackets: http://www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/

The place for those 's' hooks and small pulleys you always wanted: http://www.choiceful.com/shop-online-Fixings.html

For a wide range of fixings: http://www1.westfalia.net/shops/tools/ironmongery/tensioning_rope/tensioning_ropes/

Look at builders supplies as well
http://www.screwfix.com/

http://www.ebuildingsupplies.co.uk/page/home

Delicate and unusual wire meshes etc
http://www.wires.co.uk/?gclid=CKPDgLKJ5pgCFQyjQwodlXAxbQ

More architectural scale wire
http://www.steelwirerope.com/General%20Wire%20Rope/StainlessSteelWireRope.html?gclid=CKDE48KJ5pgCFQo1QwodZmKKcA

For coloured ropes and climbing fixtures
http://www.inglesport.com/shop/catalog.php?category=SRT%20Ropes

Swivels and links on a small scale are often found at fishing suppliers, try: http://www.seafishingsupplies.co.uk/index.php?cPath=59_109

If you are thinking about using commercial style signage or text. For instance if you are wanting to put a professional look to your sinage for an exhibition:
http://www.fastsigns.co.uk/England-WestYorkshire-Leeds-store857.html

Building walls? Plywood, chipboard, blockboard or MDF
http://www.boardcraft.co.uk/products.asp

Lighting, this might be an American company, but it’s good to see what gallery lighting is available:
http://www.pegasusassociates.com/products/ArtGalleryLighting/ArtGalleryLighting.html

Display cabinets are expensive, but looking through commercial ones available can give you ideas as to how you might want to make your own:
http://www.displaysense.co.uk/display-cabinets?gclid=CML7mN2V5pgCFQpNQwodRQ8ecg

FOR PAINT WHEN YOU HAVE NO MONEY TRY:
SEAGULLS RE-USE LIMITED.
Units 3&4, Aire Place Mills
103 Kirkstall Road
Leeds
West Yorkshire
LS3 1JL
Kate Moree & Cat Pearson
0113 2467510
recyclingseagulls@yahoo.com

I havnt worked out how to make the links work yet, so just paste the URLs I have suggested into your browser to check out the on-line catalogues.

I presume all of you use Neville's DIY in the back of the Merrion Centre for your day to day needs. Everything from nails and screws to sheets of bubblewrap; if not check it out next time you are in town.
For your haberbashery needs try Samuel Taylor's which is over the road from the market, in that little street that leads to the back of House of Fraser and Games Workshop. Lots of fixings upstairs, but downstairs for fabrics including canvas, cottons, linens and hessians.