The founders behind the hugely successful Manchester Art Fair, have launched EASEL, a new online shop selling the latest artworks by artists and galleries from the fair.
In just six-weeks the organiser has pivoted their business to launch the fresh-looking store using the ShowShoppa marketplace platform. The EASEL shop now features hundreds of original and desirable artworks and prints by scores of galleries and artists from the UK, and internationally.
“When we had to postpone Manchester Art Fair in October because of the pandemic, many of our visitors said how much they would miss getting their art fix this year,” said CEO Thom Hetherington. “In addition, we have artists and galleries that need our support more than ever. I’ve watched the recent boom in Manchester’s tech sector with real interest, and we quickly realised the time was right to develop EASEL, a platform which will keep our tens of thousands of art buyers connected to our artists and galleries 365 days of the year. Even during our beta testing phase people were buying works, which was beyond our expectations!”
Manchester Art Fair, normally held at Manchester Central, will return with new dates for 2021. The new shop will enhance the fair’s existing offering as well as create a new revenue stream for the events’ organiser with non-exhibiting artists and galleries also able to sign up.
EASEL will be marketed to Manchester Art Fair’s database of 30,000 art buyers from Manchester, Cheshire, Lancashire and Yorkshire, whilst an extensive campaign will reach thousands of new art lovers across the North and beyond.
ShowShoppa Business Director, Saul Leese, explained: “ShowShoppa is the ideal platform for selling detailed products like artworks because it has a number of useful eCommerce tools including a ‘zoom function’ that buyers can use to see more detail. We are all excited to see another organiser choose to use our platform to grow their event business. To build a new shop in such a short space of time is a testament to the EASEL team, and it demonstrates the continued need for developing complimentary platforms for exhibitors in such challenging times.”
For more information visit www.easelart.co.uk
About the Fairs
Launched in 2008, Manchester Art Fair has had an exciting first ten years including a charity auction of Damian Hirst doodles, the development of The Manchester Contemporary and its collector programme, and live painting by artists such as Pure Evil. Previous highlights include an exclusive interview with world famous collector Frank Cohen, as well as record art sales including works by Tracy Emin and Grayson Perry. Manchester Art Fair is one of the UK’s most ambitious art fairs welcoming over 76,000 visitors and selling over £5m worth of art since its launch in 2008.
The Organiser
The team behind the fair have over 20 yrs. experience in the exhibitions industry organising events in the arts and culture and food & drink sectors. Events include Manchester Art Fair, The Manchester Contemporary, Northern Restaurant & Bar, NRB Debate and NRB Top Fifty Awards.
CEO and founder, Thom Hetherington (pictured), has become one of the leading cultural figures in the region and was named ‘Cultural Icon’ in the Manchester Evening News City Life awards 2016. A trustee of Manchester Art Gallery, Thom also consults for arts organisations such as the Manchester International Festival, comments on arts and hospitality in the regional and national media and has acted as a judge for awards such as the New Light Art Prize.
About ShowShoppa
ShowShoppa is the event industry’s leading marketplace platform for event organisers.
ShowShoppa is a new, curated, year-round shop that enables event organisers to connect buyers with exhibitors 365. It provides an additional revenue stream for event organisers and exhibitors by charging commission on every sale made through the marketplace, and it helps to increase exhibitor engagement through event brands and expand an event’s database.
To find out more about ShowShoppa visit: www.ShowShoppa.com
