Local web designer Will Paice of Hopscotch Studios has helped a major London art fair to transform their event into a digital platform in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and resulting lockdown. London Art Week is a biannual event at which top London art galleries and auction houses promote their services to collectors and art scholars from around the world. Unlike other art fairs, London Art Week takes place in selected galleries in Mayfair and St James’s rather than a temporary venue such as an exhibition hall or tent.
At least, that has been the case since the event was first held in 2013. This year, however, the Coronavirus pandemic presented London Art Week with a major challenge, as it did for many other events around the globe. In response, the London Art Week board decided to create an online space where participants can offer their works individually and through joint displays in ‘Viewing Rooms’. They approached Hopscotch Studios to develop the website and build an exhibitor portal through which exhibitors are able to upload exhibition information and images and control their offering.
Will Paice comments, “As the event happens between 3rd and 10th July and there is a considerable amount of exhibitor preparation, we had very little time to develop the new digital platform. But we had worked with the London Art Week team for the last few years both developing their website and doing graphic design work for online and press advertising campaigns and so were familiar with the market and are used to working under pressure. We have developed a close working relationship with the team at LAW and believe that this digital event will be a big success.”
Certainly, London Art Week is preparing for record participation this summer: in addition to over 50 galleries, auction houses Christie’s, Sotheby’s and Bonhams will all take part. The event opens with an invitation-only private view on July 2 and the organisers are hopeful that (if government regulations allow) a small group of the participating galleries will open their doors for visitors, offering both a physical and virtual event.
Will Paice at Hopscotch Studios can be contacted at will@hopscotchstudios.co.uk.
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WILL PAICE
will@hopscotchstudios.co.uk
Visit us at www.hopscotchstudios.co.uk
TEL: +44 1892 732091
