We’ve heard countless stories of small businesses using WordPress to run their operations. But a community art gallery, though? Now this is something we have to see for ourselves!
Thrive Art Projects, one of our Community Partners for this year’s WordCamp Philippines hosted in Iloilo City, is one of those art galleries that have integrated WordPress into their strategy right from the very start. Their clean, minimalist website design speaks loudly (pun very much intended) on what their brand its mission is.
But more than that, what makes Thrive unique is how it uses its art space to organize events that are beyond the usual art exhibits. Their live events and open dialogues are as frequently held as their exhibit openings (this “live writing session”, in particular, is something you don’t see happening in your everyday art gallery).
Indeed, much of Thrive’s reputation in Iloilo City’s communities hinges on it being an integral part of those communities themselves. Whether you’re an art enthusiast or someone who’s just passing through its doors, it remains open and warm to all; a quintessentially Iloilo trait, if we have to define one.
For this Community Spotlight blog, we had our burning questions answered by Ms. Allyn Canja – Brasileño, the curator and one of the owners of Thrive Art Projects along with his husband, the Iloilo City-based artist, Kristoffer Brasileño.
What made Thrive decide to use WordPress?
Our project started as an online platform; we needed a dynamic content management system, which was the first thing we identified.
We wanted to create an online magazine integrated with a shop, where users can browse our catalogue and buy artworks. We tried other products and eventually settled on WordPress. We enjoyed the choice of plugins available to us at a cost we could afford.
Can you explain the inspiration for your website design?
Our website is a fashion influencer who changes clothes sporadically.
I wish we could say that the design process has undergone a creative process, but really, it was just an homage to one of our favorite art magazines.
It is essentially a publication first, then a storefront for those who want to acquire artworks, second. We want the text to be readable, but we also need the readers to encounter the artworks along the way. That’s our anchor because we change themes a lot!
Can you share what WordPress plugins you are using to optimize your website?
For plugins, we use Yoast to help us with social media (because) we realize our audience is the type who use social media every day. For our online gallery, we use WooCommerce.
What advice would you give to regional gallery spaces, small businesses, or independent communities looking to build their own spaces using Content Management Systems like WordPress?
It may seem like a website is an additional cost, but we have had guests drop by the gallery to tell us that they found us online and that they want to learn more about us. For us, this is an affirmation that we are reaching an audience that otherwise we won’t be able to reach without a website.
Thrive Art Projects will be holding an art exhibit and zine-making session right inside the WordCamp PH Sponsors’ Hall on Aug. 29. If you’ve already bought a ticket for WordCamp, then lucky you!
But if not, then you can still go to their physical art space at the Shops at Atria. They’re open from Wednesday to Sunday, 1 pm to 6 pm. Entrance is free!
For more details on their listed artworks and their published writings, visit ThriveArt.org.
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