Spartanburg artists ‘open for business’
Arts agency launches online exhibitions and sales
In reaction to COVID-19 and the demand for online art exhibitions and sales, Artists Collective | Spartanburg has launched a new website, Shops.ArtistsCollectiveSpartanburg.org, that features the work of local artists.
“This is something we have wanted to do, and COVID-19 pushed us to quickly develop and bring online a website that showcases the work of our members and gives the public an easy way to make purchases,” Collective Chair Beth Regula said. “We have more than 50 members and all of them have been invited to ‘set up shop’ on this website. It’s one of their membership benefits. Plus, it’s a great benefit to the patrons of the arts, giving them an online way to see the work and purchase it, avoiding possible coronavirus exposure.”
Normally, the art venue is open to the public Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., however, it is now closed to the public because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The new website is set up so that each artist has his or her own “shop.” When visiting one of these shops, the patron can see photos of art by the artist. In addition, there is information on pricing, materials, availability, shipping, and the artist. Currently, the website features jewelry, glass fusion, miniatures, mixed media, paintings, and photographs. Payment can be made by credit or debit card.
All members have the option to have a free shop on the website, and so far several have established their presence with more expected to go virtual as the site gains popularity.
“It’s a very user friendly website,” Regula said. “By word of mouth so far, people are already visiting the site and buying art, which absolutely thrills me. Artists Collective | Spartanburg is focused on the artists of this community. We try very hard to provide private and affordable studio space, public galleries with current exhibitions, the community’s most extensive gift shop for locally made art, and now this new website. We are always looking for ways to help artists and to make art more available to the general public.”
Artists Collective | Spartanburg is one of the leading not-for-profit art agencies in Upstate South Carolina. It is a membership-based agency with more than 50 members, most of whom live and work within driving distance of Spartanburg. The venue is located at 578 West Main St. in a converted three-story Baptist church. Normally, it hosts three public and free art exhibitions each month, but the venue’s galleries are now closed to the public because of the pandemic until further notice. For more information about the Shops at Artists Collective | Spartanburg, please visit online: ArtistsCollectiveSpartanburg.org.