19 highlights of 2019

As we head into 2020, we look back at our top 19 of 2019.
Thank you to our clients, artists and partners who made 2019 such a success!

In April we celebrated the release of The Hiscox Online Art Trade Report 2019. DegreeArt, powered by Artellite, climbed 12 places since 2018, coming in at #7 following Bonhams (#6), Artnet (#5), Phillips (#4) , Artsy (#3), Christies (#2) and Sotheby’s (#1). We were honoured to see that DegreeArt was the highest ranking ecommerce primary online sales platform and that we ranked #5 in the trust table of the esteemed report.

We experienced the highest growth in the rankings, which Co-Founder Isobel Beauchamp attributed to the company’s significant focus and investment in both online and offline endeavours.

On Saturday 21st September, The Signature Art Prize co-founder Elinor Olisa attended the official launch of The Signature Art Prize, China in Shenzhen.

Held in the brand new Global Original Art Centre at the International Art & Design Centre (IADC) in Shenzhen, the launch confirmed the global ambitions of the prize which was founded in London in 2006. Run in partnership with established fine art and interiors company ARTCLOUD, the Signature Art Prize China will shine a spotlight on Chinese graduate and emerging artists in both China and the UK.

We look forward to the latest edition of the prize in the UK this February.

In 2019 our partnership with Bankside Hotel went from strength to strength, collaboratively we welcomed 6 talented artists to the Maker's in Residence space. Each artist undertook a 2 month residency in the central London studio location, throughout the residencies a record total of 23 workshops and events were held.

We'd like to say a huge thank you to Bankside and their staff for another prosperous year and congratulations to the artists who took part, Luke M Walker, Michael Wallner, Victoria Heald, Sophie Derrick, The Cumming Twins and Rod McIntosh. We look forward to welcoming Ottelien Huckin as our first artist in residence in 2020.

We're proud to have welcomed a record number of artists to our community this year. Our mission of finding the best graduate talent continued throughout the year and after a successful roadshow to the graduate exhibtiions throughout the UK, our community has increased by a whopping 12%. We look forward to introducing you to new talent in 2020 and new artwork by our artists.

In 2019 we successfully took part in many art fairs here in the UK and abroad. 7 in total, we participated in three in London including the 20th Anniversary edition of The Affordable Art Fair in Battersea, one in Henley, two in the US (New York and Miami) and one in Stockholm, Sweden.

It was a pleasure to showcase new and existing artists in new markets, something we'll continue to do in 2020.

In 2018 Gallery co-founder Elinor Olisa and her husband Born designed and built their own home based on hypoallergenic principles. The project and journey was featured on the popular Channel 4 show Grand Designs which aired a one off special in October, 'Kevin's Greatest Designs' showcasing the house once again.

Thank you to everyone that tuned in and took the time to get in touch regarding the artwork featured in the house!

In December, Contemporary Collective and Bankside Hotel hosted a day-long conference 'All Things Ink' open to artists and those interested in All Things Ink. Rod McIntosh, current artist in resdience, and a curated group of 6 ink artists came together to share their passion for the medium of ink.

Following an artistically curated 3-course meal at Bankside’s ArtYard, 7 artists worked coolaboratively in artist-led demonstrations and an ink workshop, culminating in the production of 14 exclusive artworks created or completed during the day.

2019 saw more award nominations and wins by our artists than we can fit here but suffice to say, we are immensly proud and all those whose work was acknowledged by judging panels and selction committees.

Of note were Luke M Walker exhibiting at the Royal Academy Summer show, Dorian Radu being selected to exhibit in the Royal Institute of Oil Painters and winning the L. Cornelissen Prize, Andrew Newton taking 3rd place in the Artists of the Year competition, and Sam King winning the Liberty Art Award.

We are very proud to say that as our artist community grew, so did our community of collectors. In 2019 we welcomed new collectors from around the globe who attributed to a 25% increase in sales for the artists listed on DegreeArt.com.

In September we debuted at the fall Edition of The Affordable Art Fair New York, held at the Metropolitan Pavilion alongside 70 local and international galleries.

Our very talented Sales and Programme Manager, Jahnai Hall was shortlisted for the fair's Curation Award for her showcase of artwork by Sophie Derrick, Michael Wallner, Helen Gørrill, Johannes Nielsen, Philip Hearsey, Ernesto Romano, Leah Michelle, Kirsty Simmons, Ottelien Huckin and Lee Herring. Congratulations to Jahnai and the artists who exhibited.

New York, we look forward to seeing you again in 2020!

In August, we proudly partnered with The Auction Collective to host a week long exhibition and auction at Bankside Hotel. The live auction featured 46 contemporary artworks each priced under £10,000, presented by The Auction Collective Director, Tom Best, previously Christie’s Auctioneer and Contemporary Art Specialist.

In June, Contemporary Collective partnered with the pioneering women’s fashion label Eileen Fisher, in celebration of the culture and creativity of the legendary London borough of Kensington and Chelsea, for the Kensington and Chelsea Art Weekend.

Over the course of the weekend, we exhibited a solo presentation of Sophie Derrick's work in the Eileen Fisher store on the iconic Kings Road in Chelsea, London. The partnership was the first of its kind for the KCAW weekend.

Thanks to Bankside Hotel, during their summer residency The Cumming Twin's participated in London's Design Festival.

Mark and Paul Cummings presented a series of events about their ‘Here, Now and Then’ exhibition, which featured art talks, workshops, digital installations and performances, including their famous Gong Performance – a music piece relating to Hermeticism and the healing arts. If you missed it - do take a look at their incredible artwork collection crossing 2d and 3d boundries.

We'd like to say a big thank you to all the journalists and publications who have featured DegreeArt.com, Contemporary Collective and Artellite artists this year including Vogue Conde Nast, Grand Designs magazine, Architectural Digest, the Londonist, Forbes online, seeninthecity.co.uk and elle.com.

But sssssh we can't say who! Keep your eyes peeled and you'll see them.

Earlier this year, the DegreeArt team celebrated the 16th year anniversary of the buisness. In South East London in 2003, during the days of dial-up and limited e-commerce, Isobel Beauchamp and Elinor Olisa saw an opportunity to connect graduate artists with art collectors.

Since those early days they have made great strides towards this vision, growing a business with the support of their team, board, artists and clients. The DegreeArt.com model, powered by their proprietary technology Artellite, has witnessed a step-change for the company over the last 24 months with expansion into China, the US and Middle East taking ‘Brand Britain’ with them.

Elinor and Isobel would like to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has been with them on this journey and they look forward to sharing with you the next chapter of the business, their represented artists and their artwork.

Throughout 2019 we exhibited artwork by 180+ artists, physically (offline) in the UK and abroad. Thank you to the artists who made this possible and everyone who visited us!

Although we are an 'Online Gallery', our ethos is to make art available through as many channels as possible and this means always looking for the very best opportunities to connect our artists with collectors and supporters of the arts.

Earlier this year, submissions opened for the 10th edition of The Signature Art Prize. The prize aims to shine a light on student and graduate talent and is open to all artists currently studying, and those who have graduated from an arts-based degree within the last 3 years.

This year, for the 10th year anniversary, we look forward to announcing new additions to our judging panel and to reveal the winning works at the annual gala hosted at Bankside at Hotel.

Last, but absolutely not least (and not that we're obsessed, but...) in 2019 our team have welcomed three new fur babies, who will no doubt be sitting for their first portraits very soon in the New Year!

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