Aboriginal art and Fair Trade retailer Better World Arts has opened a new retail gallery in South Australia’s Victoria Square Arcade to boost business and give consumers greater access to its products.
The new location is smaller than the Port Adelaide store but has a wide shop front with good windows and lighting. It is also easy to get to and a hot spot for tourists.
“There are some great paintings from the Anangu Pitjantjajtara/Yankunytjatjara lands as well as from several locations in the Northern Territory,” says Carolyn Wilson, director. “There is a real mix of works from the central desert dots to the top end x-ray work. We are also focusing on Fair Trade goods and have great hand woven baskets from Africa, some interesting Ethiopian artefacts, knitted toys, Fair Trade chocolate and of course our own branded product range is plentiful.”
Better World Arts runs programs for Adelaide’s Anangu community and the retail venture supports the artists financially.
“If we can increase sales it will automatically benefit the artists. They are paid a royalty dividend on a monthly basis, and on the alternate fortnight we pay for paintings sold. This gives a regular fortnightly income to the artists, the greater the income we can generate the better off they are, and the more they can anticipate and plan around.”
Wilson says while the wholesale market has slowed in our tough economy, Better World Arts is working hard to keep the business moving.
“The market is strong and weak at the same time, meaning our products are in demand but on the wholesale side of things, which is the lifeblood of the business, some of our customers have closed or are struggling to survive. Business in general is weak at present, but within that we are managing to press on and maintain our customer base, and gather new people as well,” she explains.
