UK Enterprise 2020

146 | UK Enterprise Awards 2020 Artistic endeavours take on many different forms, and finding the right place to source all the materials needed for a project can be immensely challenging. Artistic ReTreats specialise in helping people to create a piece of art that they can be proud of. We take a closer look at this supplier of art supplies in the light of their incredible success. Best Art Workshop & Supplies Company Jun20325 Perched on the border of Northants and Oxfordshire, Artistic ReTreats have made their name by being able to provide exactly what an artist needs to complete their project, and if they don’t have it, they know someone who does. It doesn’t matter whether they’re working on a stunning sculpture or a textured mixed media canvas, Artistic ReTreats has it covered. With a beautiful rural setting that would inspire even the most unsentimental temperament, Artistic ReTreats has been able to base its business model on customer service, bringing clients and customers a tailored experience that provides the right art products for a specific project. For those who are exploring different artistic disciplines, they offer a number of art workshops covering a variety of mediums. These range in skill level from two hour taster sessions for complete beginners through to 2-3 day masterclasses, for those wanting to tackle more complex projects. The trend in recent years has been towards providing an experience, as opposed to material goods. Working closely with both the local artistic community & crafters, Artistic ReTreats are proud to provide art & sculpture workshops for all artistic abilities. The aim is to make these days as relaxed and enjoyable as possible, with the knowledge that crafting can be crucial to good mental health. In addition to offering a simple online booking system for workshops, Artistic ReTreats also offer a mail order service for art supplies & gift vouchers that are redeemable against art workshops and art products. Recent years have seen a growing awareness of environmental issues globally. Wherever possible, Artistic ReTreats incorporate recycled textures and found objects in their workshops, in conjunction with water-based, non-toxic and environmentally friendly art supplies. Waste is kept to a minimum to avoid good materials ending up in landfill & where plastics such as gloves and disposable aprons need to be used, these get saved and reused as filler materials when building armatures for sculpture. COVID-19 has had an effect on many industries, and Artistic ReTreats is no exception. Obviously, the reuse of gloves and aprons has had to be reconsidered, but many techniques such as washing out plastic tubs for reuse or the conversion of vinyl records into art can continue. With many high street names closing stores due to the economic impact of the pandemic, people are increasingly realising the importance of local providers and retailers. Increasingly, over the last few months, Artistic ReTreats have seen a move towards more people supporting their local SMEs in the community. When Artistic ReTreats was founded in 2012, it was designed to support a better work/life balance for the owner, who needed a job that could take family life and childcare into account. While the kids have grown up in that time, work/life balance still finds itself at the heart of decision making, with success in this area allowing a flexible approach whilst providing the best support for customers. While the world has changed rapidly over the last few months, Artistic ReTreats is still looking to power ahead into the future. While online provision has become the norm, they are still able to offer face-to-face workshops for small groups in perfect safety. For those who would rather craft along at home, a ‘craft kit + Zoom’ workshop is already in the works, with customers working under the guidance of a specialist tutor, at a date & time to suit them. Long before lockdown, Artistic ReTreats had opened a satellite studio in Cornwall. As restrictions lift and travel is made easier, the aim is to add tailored art holidays to the current offering, taking inspiration from the gorgeous scenery and wildlife of the dramatic Cornish coast. The appeal of Artistic ReTreats is clear. Driven by a passion for the arts, it’s able to provide a wealth of opportunities for artists & crafters to learn and to thrive. As time goes on, we’re sure to watch this business continue to create great things, and achieve even greater successes. Company: Artistic ReTreats Name: Liz Dixon Web Address: www.artisticreteats.co.uk