ONLINE GALLERY PROGRAM

Through art we experience connection that transcends language and culture. In a moment we are "touched."

Our Heart To Art programs focus on providing artists with greater exposure for commercial success. Helping artists access social media platforms and extend their reach through online galleries, Spirit At The Beach helps forge connections that result in greater financial prosperity.

ONLINE GALLERIES

Current Artists’ Reality ~

Working in a tourist area presents unique challenges for those who create paintings and drawings. In additional to objections around price and size, tourist-clients often have additional concerns:

1) Not wanting to transport a stretched piece, for a variety of reasons, including

a. Difficulty carrying

b. Additional luggage fees

2) Not wanting to transport a rolled canvas

a. Requiring them to get re-stretched

3) Concern over Customs Duties upon entry into their home Country

In addition, many beach artists do not yet have the ability to accept electronic payment.

A Solution ~

By pairing artists with volunteer photographers and tech assistance, Spirit At The Beach provides artists with the support and education they need to create an online venue for the sale of their work.

Working with platforms like ArtPal.com, artists are able to:

1) Maintain an online gallery where they can

a. Offer prints of their work, in various formats from stretched canvas to prints on metal

b. Sell on the beach, from a phone (theirs or their client’s)

c. Provide ‘room view’ previews of artwork on either their or their client’s phone

d. Arrange shipping directly to their client’s location in the U.S. and Canada

e. Take credit card payments through the online platform

f. Sell, through social media contact, to clients when they are off island

Spirit At The Beach locates and coordinates the resources necessary for an artist to successfully launch and maintain their online gallery.

This requires:

1) Engaging a photographer to take high-resolution photos of each piece. (For our first artist, this was just over 70 paintings).

a. Professional photographer preferred.

i. If foreign or expat, all services and expenses are by donation only;

ii. If Jamaican, services are requested as donation with reasonable expense reimbursement. If we are unable to secure volunteer services, SATB will cover some photography costs

2) Coordinating the initial photo shoot.. SATB handles communication among all necessary parties

a. Scheduling time and location

b. Insuring adequate volunteers are available to insure respectful use of photographer’s time

c. Insuring shoot location can accommodate rain or shine, etc

d. Clarifies format of deliverables and due date with photographer, at conclusion of shoot

3) Pairing the artist with a volunteer to help create and maintain the online gallery at ArtPal.com This volunteer position is a commitment requiring significant time on the front end. (Cropping photos, uploading, naming and describing each image, along with meta tags and other required information required in excess of 50 volunteer hours, for an artist with 70+ images).

4) Multiple counselling sessions before, during and after gallery creation. Education is key to success for our artists. It is critical that ongoing support is available to insure artist’s success.