Art is powerful. It transforms our towns and cities into communities, improves our sense of wellbeing, and preserves our heritage and culture. Local artists educate our children, re-vitalise public spaces, and examine difficult topics in accessible ways through art. Despite their importance, local artists face many challenges throughout their career. The life of an artist is one of financial precarity. Local artists often balance their creativity around second jobs, or family. They rely on insecure freelance opportunities or funding to finance their work. Like many of us, artists may struggle with self-doubt in the face of these pressures. Given the integral role artists play within our communities, how best can we support them?

There are many ways to help local artists. Attending exhibitions provides vital encouragement to new and established creators alike. Engaging with artists at workshops shows interest in their work, process, and expertise. One of the most direct ways to support local artists is to buy their work. Through buying local art, you have the power to diversify the art market and empower the artists you most admire. This is especially impactful when supporting artforms that are often overlooked in traditional art galleries – such as textile art. Patronage not only supports artists financially, but enables them to dedicate more time to their craft.

By supporting local artists, you are buying into something truly unique. You are in a position to follow an artist throughout their career, observe the development of their craft, and know that you were a part of that process. Artists love to share their work, and will gladly discuss the methodology and inspirations behind their creativity – giving you fresh insight into your purchase. Being part of the local art economy creates vital connections between artists and the community. By supporting local and emerging creators, you become a part of their story.

Local art is linked to local memories. Regional artists play a key role in preserving the cultural significance of towns, cities, and counties. Their work serves to document and make beautiful the history, aesthetics, and culture of a place. Simply put, supporting local artists fosters a sense of local identity and makes communities vibrant. As a buyer, you may find yourself drawn to a painting of a venue from your past, or scenes in nature reminiscent of your childhood. Art is our past made new. Likewise, purchasing art will hold memories of the day you bought it: the exhibition, or Christmas market, the conversations you had around it, or what was going on in your life at that time.

Investing in local art is the first step to building your own diverse and personalised art collection. Not only will you have a connection with the person behind the work, but you will own an irreplaceable piece of human creativity. There are many reasons to buy art. Local scenes may commemorate key moments from your life. Collecting the work of other artists may inspire your own creativity. Or it may be a wonderful, thoughtful gift for a loved one.

Art comes at a multitude of price points, and all support is invaluable to artists. Through purchasing original artworks, you will acquire truly unique pieces imbrued with hours of creativity and labour. Prints of artworks are also worthwhile investments, enabling the artist to benefit from their work while also supporting local printing businesses. Even buying postcards at exhibitions and fairs help artists turn a profit, while giving you an affordable keepsake.

If you are interested in supporting Artists of Essex, please feel free to browse our online store to discover a piece of Essex creativity you can take home today.

Written by Paige Smeaton