TRADING UP TRADING UP

Just as we were going to print we got an invite to sample the wares at The Merchants, the new ‘Coffee Shop Gallery’ on Beresford Street. We’ve been wondering what was happening in the former Barista coffee shop every time we’ve driven past the market over the last few week and we like what we see.

The first known trade in 4 Beresford Street, was in 1857 and it operated as a Hardware Merchants, run by the Picot Family. This is where the name "The Merchants" has been inspired from as "Everything is for sale" and proprietors James and Jayne have big plans for the space.

“Although currently selling vintage furniture that is experienced in the space, the long term aim is for all furniture and products used in The Merchants to be sourced locally and come from Jersey based Artists and Artisans. We will be sourcing all 'art for purpose' by local "makers" for examples; tables by carpenters and CNC artists, chairs by local metal workers, plates by local potters and glasses blown by a Jersey creator”.

The artwork on the walls are from international artists sharing a range of new artists and photographers to the local community. The information relating to each product is condensed into a QR code placed on/next to the works. It takes visitors to our website where they are able to purchase any of the items being used in The Merchants and links to the Artist's/Artisan's website to share their story and work. It is to also share new artists to the local community, inspire the next generation whilst allowing accessible art being sold, although some pieces are in the £2k+ range, the artists prints start at £30.

The Merchants is also seeking to share a commission free wall named the 'Students Hall' that is inviting the A Level students from all the local schools to exhibit around 4 pieces of work per month, hopefully on rotation of all schools on the island. We hope to help by creating a self motivated deadline for students to experience discussing, pricing and developing their work in a commercial context and of course hopefully sell their work.

There is a vinyl corner celebrating album artwork and original sound with a bluetooth turntable, to be used to listen to records for sale starting at an accessible price of £2 up to our Rough Trade supply of new bands at the £20 mark. Whilst listening to tunes visitors can enjoy a large archive of art + photography books whilst sipping their Dark Arts Coffee and Rare Tea.

The small back room is an early development space with a projector playing educational films of art practice for kids, with the materials for them to draw on the black board wall, stacks of paper for them to explore our materials and take their art home.

In addition, they are already speaking with local artists to run kids art workshops, in addition to adult workshops in the main space after-hours in the summer; “Once settled we hope to be rolling out these workshops regularly with different local and international artists sharing their skills to the community. We are already in discussions with Dave Buonaguidi, a screen print artist based in east London, to visit and run a screen printing demo by pulling the screen with a Harley Davidson and running introduction workshops open to the public”.

Watch this space!