Photographer, Matt Hale, is set to put other local artists in the frame by offering them the chance to showcase their work at his successful Time Freezer gallery and studio at Royal Quays Outlet Centre, North Shields.
Looking to unearth budding talent Matt, from Tynemouth, has developed a reputation for capturing some of the North East’s much loved landscapes which are displayed throughout The Time Freezer Gallery, which he opened three years ago.
Matt, said: “I have always had a passion for photography and I love capturing great images and iconic scenes or landmarks and I wanted to be able to give talented artists the chance to utilise a section of my gallery to display their work. I well remember from my early days that it takes time to build and grow a customer base, creating the visibility in the market to make that happen can be expensive, especially when you are starting off. I know that there are some fantastic artists in the area and this is my way of giving something back by helping them to grow.
“It is an opportunity to use the space for a full month. Whether it’s university art students or more established artists looking for a great venue to sell their images, it is a chance to be exposed to a diverse range of potential customers within a bustling retail environment.”
The aim is to showcase a new talent each month for a month, having a launch night to get things going on the first Thursday of each month. Local artists wishing to take advantage of Matt’s offer to showcase their work can contact him on (0191) 257 4829.
In addition to his gallery collections, Matt also offers bespoke photography services including portraits for families, babies, children and pets as well as weddings and special events.
“From my current collection I have a stunning image of St Mary’s Lighthouse. Shot this summer at sunrise the warmth of sun can almost be felt in this image. The Robin Hood Tree at Sycamore Gap on Hadrian’s Wall is also a great favourite of mine. It was shot just before midnight last November. I had to wait 45 minutes for the cloud to clear and the ‘Great Bear’ constellation came into view.
“Getting out and exploring North East landmarks is the best part of my job, different times of day provide stunning backdrops and St Mary’s Lighthouse never fails to deliver for me.”
Royal Quays Centre manager, Judith Ramshaw, said: “This is an exciting initiative and it is great to see that Matt is opting to use a section of his gallery to showcase the talent of local artists. This will be a real test for them and an opportunity to operate within a competitive retail environment.”
Royal Quays has 50 stores which employ around 500 staff, making it an important employment hub for the North Tyneside area.
It is home to a number of top brands offering up to 60% off RRP such as Nike Factory Store, Gap Outlet, Collectables Outlet, Clarks, Next and Mountain Warehouse, along with a vast range of local, independent retailers specialising in areas such as sport, fashion, jewellery, music and electrical items.
As well as attracting famous brands, since it was opened in 1996, Royal Quays has achieved great success in assisting local retailers looking to get to the next stage of their development.
Packages include competitive and flexible rent agreements that can be linked to store performance as well as expert advice from the on-site management team on marketing, shop design, presentation and sales.
For more information, please visit www.royalquaysoutletcentre.com