Online art sales portal to host exhibition
Published On Thu 3 Mar 2016 by Grant Hill
A company formed by University of Dundee students to help young artists sell their work online is hosting its first physical exhibition.
VisConn is a social enterprise founded by Jayne Thoms, Jean Lu, Ashling Larkin, Ingrida Suveizdyté and Vicky Stephen. The company provides an online platform from which University students can sell their artwork as well as showcase their portfolio, and charges a lower rate of commission than their competitors. All profits are ploughed back into VisConn and used to promote the creative output of students from the University.
The company sells artwork, jewellery, photography, prints and clothing produced by students, and some of their products are on display, and for sale, at the University’s Dalhousie Building each day until Friday, 18th March.
Managing Director Jean Lu said, “We aim to provide an online platform selling and promoting quality artwork, all hand-made and designed by the young, enthusiastic and upcoming creative minds of Dundee.
“As we progress we will seek to organise more physical activities such as exhibitions and workshops to allow us to celebrate the talent and individuality of student artists, to be the bridge between student artists and art appreciators, and to provide work experience and networking opportunities for student artists.
“We charge a student-friendly commission compared to galleries and competitor sites and any profits are used to create new opportunities for artists because we genuinely have our fellow students' interest at heart.
“What makes VisConn different is that we give our student artists’ maximum freedom, we celebrate their individuality. They can sell whatever they want, at whatever price they choose, and they also have unlimited space to write about their work and themselves.”
The founders of VisConn met through The Enterprise Gym, a University initiative, where they discovered a shared passion for art and design and a desire to promote the creative work coming out of Dundee. Two are students of Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, while others study in other parts of the University. Coming from different backgrounds and disciplines, they bring complementary strengths to the company.
The team have already won the TEG Enterprise Challenge as well as the Future Fund Grant awarded by Dundee Social Enterprise Network.
More information is available from www.visconn.co.uk, https://www.facebook.com/visconn.cic/, or by emailing visconnltd@gmail.com.