For any artist, there is always a challenge of how to get your work seen; one way to make this happen is to set up your own gallery.
The Innovation News team spoke to Denise Di Battista about what the process was like for her after she decided to set up her own gallery and print studio. Denise Di Battista is a welsh based artist who creates original artwork using an eclectic style, capturing work true to life as well as some more fantastical imagery.
This is the first gallery that Denise has set up herself; however, she does have experience of curating her own solo exhibitions and assisting with the set-up of local art society shows. After deciding to open her own gallery space Denise began the process of finding suitable premises, along with her husband Ivano, who will be running a co-located print centre. After identifying the perfect place on John Street, Llanelli, the work began in March 2016. For Denise, the process was an interesting one;
“Very busy and at times it was both stressful and exciting. Prioritising tasks and, because quite a lot of re furbishing was necessary, time managing the working teams was particularly challenging.”
Although there have been challenging elements, the end is almost in sight. The doors of the gallery are due to open officially on April 30th 2016. In celebration of the gallery space opening, a private view will be held from 7pm on Friday April 29th 2016. Canapes and drinks will be available for attendees and you will get an exclusive first look at the gallery space.
Alongside her original pieces of artwork, Denise also produces limited edition prints. Each of her images is limited to just 125 prints, produced on soft textured natural white 315gsm archival quality digital fine art paper using pigment inks. These print editions will also be for sale from the gallery, alongside some decorative household items such as ceramics and glassware.
The print editions of Denise’s work will be produced on site and will be available on both paper and canvas. The print studio at the John Street gallery will also offer a service for applying resin to artworks. When considering what media to offer, Denise referred to her past experience in selling digital fine art prints as well as considering what is possible within the skill set she and her husband share.
“I have found these to be the most popular media… the print studio will also offer a canvas print stretching service and a mounting service, framing however will be outsourced at present.”
John Street Gallery includes an art studio, where Denise will be producing original works of art, a print centre and a viewing gallery. You can find out more on Denise Di Battista’s own site: www.artofwales.com or follow her on twitter @artbydibattista or pop in and visit: 2 John Street, Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, SA15 1UH, South Wales.