Creative Links: Working with Galleries and Retailers

Jeweller and boutique owner, Heather McDermott, specialist jewellery retailers Keira Wraae-Stewart of ætla and Alison Skeates of E.C. One and curators and applied art consultants Louisa Pacifico of Future Icons and Gregory Parsons will consider: what does it mean to collaborate to sell your work in the current retail landscape? How can you find the right approach for you?

Whether you are approached by a gallery or have identified a venue you feel your work aligns with, our panel will discuss the things to be looking out for including creating presentation material to get noticed, how to prepare for showcasing your work and getting the best out of retail opportunities.

There will be an opportunity to ask questions and join the conversation.

Heather McDermott is a contemporary jeweller maker and designer based in Callander, Scotland. Inspired by her island home, the Isle of Skye, she hand makes her work from her recently opened boutique and studio space on the high street of Callander. She specialises in stainless steel and precious metal within her collections.

Louisa Pacifico founded Future Icons in 2017, previously having been the Chief Executive of Craft Central and leading sales teams for both New Designers and Clerkenwell Design Week. As founder of Future Icons, Louisa selects makers and designers to represent and nurture through business consultancy and curated showcases. Most notably, she developed and managed the curated showcases for The Future of Craft at London Craft Week, gallery venues within the iconic Burlington Arcade in Mayfair and was appointed VIP room curator for prestigious London Art Fair. To support Future Icons, Louisa freelances as a consultant for venues across London, lectures at universities and colleges and has been appointed as an interior designer for private and corporate clients. Louisa’s next project is Future Icons Selects, a showcase of up 60 makers in Oxo Tower Wharf’s Bargehouse, showcasing in May for London Craft Week.

Gregory Parsons is an independent curator, exhibition designer and producer working in the applied arts. He has a background in woven textile design and making. He has worked in the textile industry (in both the fashion and interiors sectors), and as a product developer for luxury brands Burberry Ltd. and Halcyon Days. Over the last twelve years he has curated some seminal exhibitions across the vast spectrum of the applied arts. He has completed some sixty exhibitions to date.

Keira Wraae-Stewartis the founder of ætla, a fine jewellery boutique based in Stockbridge, Edinburgh. Founded in November 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic with a view to showcasing and supporting fine jewellery created by talented local, international and lesser known designers and artisans. A major focus of the business has been to provide clients with a range of luxury, wearable, designer jewellery created through sustainable and ethically responsible means. Before launching ætla, Keira worked in the design and manufacture of commercial and catwalk jewellery in both London and Thailand for over 10 years, at well established brands including Vivienne Westwood and Maria Francesca Pepe.