Artists looking to set up their own website or update a site they already have can get the latest tips and information at an upcoming workshop at the Arts Centre in Sechelt.
The event on Sunday, April 28, is the latest in a Business of Art series sponsored by the Sunshine Coast Arts Council.
Halfmoon Bay website specialist and painter Alison Taylor will lead the workshop and says she will provide advice on a range of topics, like how to decide whether to build your own site or hire someone else to do it. She’ll also talk about updating sites for use on mobile devices, or whether to skip the whole process and simply market your artwork at sites that do online sales.
“My take on artists making their own websites is that they’re often not that fond of the tech experience,” Taylor told Coast Reporter in an interview. “There is definitely some user-friendly tech out there, but there’s always a trade-off. The friendlier it is, the less flexibility you get in the look and feel. And artists tend to really want to control the look and feel of their website.”
Taylor said a lot of people who come to her workshops do want to build their own sites, if only for budgetary reasons.
“We’ll talk about how to figure out whether or not you’re someone who should do that. But if you decide to hire someone, I’ll also cover how to go about it and what to look for.”
Taylor added that at the end of the workshop, she will demonstrate – starting from scratch – how to use free website-building technologies to create a simple, one-page site in about ten minutes. She also will provide a 15-page “cheat sheet” participants can take away with them.
“This is so people can watch what’s going on without having to frantically scramble to make notes.
“The idea is to send them away armed with information not just on technical details, but how to make strategic decisions about the goal of their website, and what technology they or their webmaster should build it in,” Taylor said.
She added that participants can bring their own computers with them, but it’s not required.
Taylor is a well-respected local authority, according to fellow designer Tzaddi Gordon: “This workshop is a rare opportunity to learn from someone who does art herself. Alison deeply understands both web technologies and the needs of artists.”
The workshop will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and costs $15 for Arts Council members, $25 for non-members. Drop-ins are welcome but registration in advance is recommended by phone or online, as space is limited.
