Showcasing the work of South Australia’s best professional visual artists, craftspeople, designers and creative spaces, Guildhouse’s new curated online platform, Well Made provides the opportunity to source the very best, high quality and bespoke creative work from across the State.
Designed to be the first port of call for engaging with the work of South Australia’s talented creative professionals and the State’s best creative spaces, Well Made enables visitors to connect with artists and designers in their studio or through a retail or gallery space that represents them and stocks their work.
Guildhouse Executive Director Rae O’Connell said Well Made was a marketing and promotional tool that provided easy broker services between creative practitioners and those seeking high quality, creative work.
“Well Made aims to increase sales for artists as well as the commissioning of new work by members of the public and the commercial sector,” said Ms O’Connell. “If you are looking for something special, a new coffee table, a special present, a unique piece of jewellery or a new table setting this is where you will find the State’s best.”
“Well Made allows buyers looking for unique work to purchase or commission it directly from creative professionals or creative spaces. It will also support commissions for public artworks, interior design, creative workshops and services.”
Ms O’Connell said Well Made also supported the State Government’s agenda for the arts sector by generating new revenue streams for creative professionals and increasing the industry’s contribution to the State’s economy. The site will be marketed to visitors to South Australia, allowing them to access a great network of creative practitioners and creative spaces, promoting creative excellence and cultural life in the State.
The website features more than 40 creative professionals who specialise in a diverse range of skills, including furniture making, textiles, printmaking, jewellery, painting, sculpture, ceramics, glass, graphic and landscape design. Ceramics artist Stephanie James-Manttan, who is featured on Well Made – welcomed the new initiative.
“I see Well Made as being a one-stop shop for the arts industry such as interior designers, architects, collectors, galleries, retailers – the list goes on,” said Ms James-Mantann. “I also see it as a portal not just for arts professionals, but also the community to engage with and experience what South Australian creatives are up to, and what services they can offer to help them sustain their creative practices.”
Jewellery designer Sarah Rothe, another Well Made creative professional, said she was excited about the opportunities Well Made would help designers access such as marketing assistance, commissions and opportunities to collaborate.
“Being a creative practitioner and a business owners, it’s very hard to get the right exposure and target the right clientele for our niche market. Well Made is a unique platform, which is overdue,” said Ms Rothe.
Visitors to the Well Made website are able to source unique, locally crafted products or commission a creative professional to fulfil a design brief. Guildhouse also offers assistance with the commissioning process through its referral service.
The website also includes events and a blog featuring artist interviews and profiles, behind-the-scenes sneak peeks, success stories and creative how-to guides from invited guest contributors. For more information, visit: www.wellmade.com.au for details.
Image: Stephanie James-Manttan – photo by Peter Fisher