INVERNESS: Being Visible - Fashion/Crafts

BEING VISIBLE: Selling & Promoting Craft and Fashion @goNORTH 2013
Wednesday 5th June 2013 (10am – 4pm)
The Presidential Suite, Mercure Hotel, Church Street, Inverness

One of the challenges for a maker or designer based in the north of Scotland is making sure people know about their work and reaching buyers, particularly when you live in a remote part of the country. This year we are holding a one day event focused on how to keep visible both in the real world and online.

We will hear the voices of makers, from our keynote speaker, textile designer extraordinaire Donna Wilson, to recent graduates and makers who have been running their studios for over 10 years, who will share their experiences.

There will be experts talking about the importance of websites, how to use social media, and the new trend of crowdfunding. We will hear about opportunities for makers for exhibiting and selling their work, networking and other new initiatives with speakers from the Crafts Council, Craft Scotland, Applied Arts Scotland and Really Interesting Objects, and the plans for 2013 from Pamela Conacher about the support for the sector in the Highlands and Islands.

The day is a great chance to network and each session will end with a panel when you can ask questions.

We are also offering 6 makers the opportunity to have their work photographed on the day by leading object photographer Shannon Tofts. Each of the 6 will receive 3 shots. This offer is only open to makers who have not had work photographed by him before. To apply fill in our application form and return it by Monday 20 May 2013. This is an amazing opportunity to have some high quality photography taken of your work for promotion and applications. The photography will take place in the Congress Suite at the Mercure Hotel.

Download the application form to apply for Shannon Tofts Photography on the HI-Arts website:
http://hi-arts.co.uk/services/talent-development/crafts/networking-and-workshops/

SPEAKERS:

Carol Sinclair (chair)
Carol, a graduate of Grays in Aberdeen, has combining running her own ceramics practice with delivering business support and training for a range of cultural organisations for 23 years.

Donna Wilson, Designer
Donna set up her company in 2003 making odd knitted creatures. Originally from Scotland, she now runs a studio in London making homewares and knitted accessories that are sold worldwide.

Marcus Wilson, Pooka.pro
Marcus Wilson specialises in Open Source web technology and its use within charities, the cultural sector and creative businesses. He creates compelling and immersive video and audio content for the web.

Sian Jamieson
Sian is the Audience Development Manager at HI~Arts and works with a wide range of organisations and individuals in both the Highlands & Islands and Aberdeenshire.She runs workshops on the use of social media, crowdfunding and other topics and carries out Health Checks on makers websites .

Merlin Planterose, Jeweller
After graduating from Duncan of Jordanstone in 2011 Merlin returned to her home near Ullapool in the north-west Highlands to set up her business as a jewellery designer and maker.

Kirsteen Stewart, Designer
Kirsteen started her career studying Fashion Design & Surface Print at the University of Northumbria. After returning to her home town of Kirkwall she developed The Kirsteen Stewart collection of accessories and clothing.

Beatrice Mayfield, Crafts Council
Beatrice is Maker Development Manager at the Craft Council in London. Programmes include support for emerging makers through Hothouse, the international applied arts fair, Collect and an exhibition programme.

Sheena Kitchin, Craft Tourism Manager, Craft Scotland
Sheena was Managing Director of Destination Scotland for 15 years, served on the Board of VisitScotland and has undertaken many consultancy projects including Food Tourism. She hopes to help craft makers find market opportunities in tourism.

Patricia Niemann, Designer & Board Member, Applied Arts Scotland
A trained goldsmith and designer, Patricia Niemann makes one-off objects and body adornment in studio glass, metals and textiles. Main themes are the human body, funeral archaeology, theatre - and Caithness oddities.

Pamela Conacher, Talent Development Manager, Crafts, HI-Arts
Pamela runs the HI~Arts Craft project, supporting maker development throughout the Highlands & Islands with a range of programmes including mentoring, showcasing and training.

Tina Rose, Consultant & Director, RIO
Tina is a freelance consultant, writer, curator and PR and marketing specialist. Her company Really Interesting Objects engages people with quality craft through publishing and creative productions.

Shannon Tofts, Photographer
Shannon documents people, finished pieces and projects through photography or film, working either in his studio or on location. The high quality images are memorable and the product of years of experience.

PROGRAMME:

10am Tea/Coffee

10.30am Introduction to the day by Carol Sinclair

10.40 am Keynote speaker, Donna Wilson

11.10am Virtuality and Being Social

Discussion and advice on all aspects of virtual communication.

Marcus Wilson, on website, newsletters

Sian Jamieson , social media and crowdfunding

Natalie Riachi, fashion blogging

12.10pm Panel discussion

12.30pm Lunch and a chance to network.

1.30pm From Graduation & Beyond

Experiences of making at different stages & locations ; their work, how they promote & sell, what they have learnt and what to avoid.

Jeweller – 2 years on, Merlin Planterose

Fashion Designer – 10 years on, Kirsteen Stewart

Goldsmith and Designer – 13 years on, Patricia Niemann

2.15pm Panel discussion

2.30pm Connecting in the Real World

Crafts Council, with Beatrice Mayfield

Craft Scotland , Sheena Kitchin Craft Tourism Manager

Applied Arts Scotland, Patricia Niemann

Really Interesting Objects, Tina Rose.

Cultural Enterprise Office, Carol Sinclair

Craft Highlands & Islands, Pamela Conacher

3.40pm Panel discussion

4.00pm Finish