Art at the press of a key
- Written by Lynne Booker, Algarve History Association
In times of an economic downturn, vendors have to be more enterprising in enticing customers to buy. Buying works of art has just been made simpler by Matthijs Warner, co-owner of the Casa 5 Studio in Tavira. At the press of a key you can browse and buy the works of a number of artists from the Algarve and further afield.
Indeed, it is not just easier being able to look at the works of art without leaving your home, it always seems easier typing on credit card details than actually handing over cash. Matthijs is creating an Algarve database of all interested artists, and under his arrangement, because the artist deals directly with the buyer there is no requirement to pay commission on works sold. The only charge made by Casa 5 is for the gallery page.
Matthijs said, ´I started up a website in Holland about 10 years ago (www.the-artists.org) to promote the work of artists.´ Of the gallery itself, he said, ´People come in and look, but they rarely buy. This website creates new opportunities for buyers to find the art they like.´
There are many artists who live in the Tavira area and they lament the shortage of gallery space in the city. As well as their initiative on the website, Matthijs and co-owner Isabel Macieira run workshops and host guest artists of all nationalities. Matthijs and Isabel aim to promote art and artists in all media, from the amateur through to the professional level.
While their work in the Gallery consumes much of their time, they were both involved in the exhibition at the historic Atalaia Barracks in Tavira as part of the recent project Tavira Ilimitada against Racism and Xenophobia.
The art gallery Casa 5 is at 5 Couredoura in Tavira (on the road between cinema square and the Vila Galé hotel), and it is open 10:00h to 13:00h on weekdays (or try knocking on the door - there is a notice to that effect in the window!)
W: www.tavira-casa.com
E: casa5tavira@gmail.com
Lynne Booker, Algarve History Association
