If you say something 15 times it really sticks in your brain, right? So, we at Real Ideas challenge you to say ‘Think big and shop small’ across 15 friends, acquaintances, loved ones and colleagues, because independents really need you – socially distanced of course!
That’s why at Real Ideas we pledge to support our growing community of Members across our buildings through retail and exhibition opportunities. We want the voice of local makers and artists to be heard and our spaces are excellent platforms to do so.
So what are we actually doing?
Well for starters, we’ve developed a retail and exhibition programme to span across our venues, creating more opportunities for indie businesses, creative and food producers, because the South West has an incredible pool of independents to support and collectively, we all need to do our bit to raise their profiles.
We also want to develop our previous retail offer and compliment the shopping local campaigns across the region like Plymouth’s Shop4Plymouth initiative, #GeddonPlymouth.
For context we’ve started new conversations with over 45 South West makers and artists ranging from Falmouth, Exeter and beyond. We’ve targeted emerging, established and start-up businesses.
We’ve also programmed call out opportunities for retail and exhibitions to grow a diverse and open platform for testing and developing work, proving that the South West really is the best, watch this space.
What to expect?
First up we’ll be re-opening Ocean Studios and from April 14th, artist of the month Samantha Little will be bringing all the positive vibes to the space with her painting show titled ‘Happy Series’, with a body of works for sale created during the pandemic. Highlighting the need for positive action during these uncertain times. The pieces signify hope light-heartedness and brightness, the veritable light at the end of this long dark tunnel.
We’re also super excited to begin announcing a long list of artists and creators exhibiting at Ocean Studios including, Emma Carlisle, Dom Moore & Studios 51, Will Luz, Mothers Who Make, Brian Pollard, Arth Lawr, Connected with Clay Schools Project, Becky Dodman to name a few.
Last but not least, we want to introduce our new retail Members including those who will sell everyday with us and our pop-up retailers, the list is growing by the day and we are so proud to have this bunch involved, (see the extensive list on the right of this page).
Our Think Big Shop Small makers:
Danielle Tweedie – Illustrator – @danielletweedieillustrates
Sun and Meg – Jewellery and home accessories – @sunandmeg
The Black Pug Press – Printmaker – Illustrator, designer and maker @theblackpugpress
Phil James – Illustrator – @philjamesillustration
Sarah Smalldon – Artist and illustrator @sarahsmalldon_art
Hometown – Creative Journals – @hometownjounals
Georgia Buck – Ceramics -@gb_ceramics
Flotsam Prints – Print Maker – @flotsamprints
The Delightfully Chaotic Co – Print Maker and illustrator – @thedelightfullychaotico
Rebecca Furze – Jewellery – @rebeccafurzejewellery
Tweeny Van Mierlo – Pottery – @the.pottery.at.ocean.studios
Table 30 Three – Homeware – @table.30three
Emma Purdie – Surface Pattern Design – @e.purdie
Jessica Cutler– Textiles – @jessica.cutler.textiles
Becky Crawford – Artist – @spacefruitgirl
Mark Fielding – Painter – @markfielding_art
Beach House Botanics – Essential Oil Candles and Melts – @beachhousebotanics
Claire Paul – Illustrator – @clairepauldraws
Kara Does Colouring – Designer and Illustrator – @kara_does_colouring
Lyon’s at Home – Prints, Jewellery and Home accessories – @lyonsathome
Alice Mae – Jewellery – @alicemaejewellery
The Mindful Hive – Sustainable swaps for your body & Home @themindfulhive
& Kin – Fashion – @andkinshop
Melissa Donne Studio – Print @melissadonnestudio
Robyn Daisy – Print & Pattern Design – @robyndaisy.design
Sally Holt – Illustration – @illustrationsally_