Market Explorer--Sweden
May McMaster Artist

Have Brush -- will Travel!

Local businesswoman and artist May McMaster has an exciting year ahead. She starts the year participating in an Exhibition by Paisley Art Institute in St. Petersburg celebrating the City's 300 year celebrations. The Exhibition is being sponsored by the Russian Stockbroking company Rubin and Renfrewshire Inverclyde Exports. Her visit to Russia is immediately followed by a visit to Helsinki Finland with Scottish Enterprise- UK Trade Partners to investigate opportunities for developing a market for her work.

The visit to Helsinki follows a successful similar venture to Stockholm Sweden in October 2002 which generated several projects including a contract to Exhibit in Galleri Bellange, an eminent Gallery in Stockholm. May already has appointments and invitation to an Opening at Galleriat Dix in Helsinki

www.contemporary-paintings.com - ©The Artist

In 2001professional artist May who lives in Barrhead decided to set up in business to promote and market her colourful paintings, since that time her work has become increasingly well known and sought after. She is expanding throughout the UK and currently has works on exhibition in London. Whilst May is happy with her progress in the home market she decided to expand her business on the International front. Having a marketing website she is keen to participate in the 'global economy'

At a Networking Evening hosted by East Refrewshire Economic Development Team May picked up a leaflet on Market Exlorer, a programme tailored to encourage small business' to explore opportunities to trade abroad.May contacted Ian Morris of Scottish Enterprise and was invited to a series of Seminars.

Among others May was introduced to a representative of the Commercial Dept in Stockholm Sweden.
He felt that her paintings might suit the Swedish Market May signed up for the programme, sent off her Marketing Materials and in due course received a comprehensive Report outlining the art industry in Sweden Compiled by Staff at the British Embassy. It included several ' Warmed 'leads and appointments with interested Galleries and the offer of an immediate Exhibition.

In October May joined a party of 14 small business' covering a broad range of services and goods including bio technology, IT, Software, Recycling Project, Designers, Diamond Merchant and a Fruit / Veg business hoping to sell Turnips to the Swedes (succesful) it was a first time for almost all of the participants who soon were networking with each other on a grand scale. May is still in touch with several new contacts .

In Sweden the group were warmly welcomed by the staff at the British Embassy and invited to an evening at the Embassy. May has been offered an exhibition within the Embassy. All of the Business had a full timetable of meetings and appointments with potential clients.

The visit was an extremely worthwhile experience. May recommends the Programme to any Small Business which is thinking of expanding on the international front. She comments "Technology and websites have broadened the parameters of marketing and communication on a global scale they are excellent for breaking down barriers however I feel that they are only a part of the equation.Human face to face interaction creates truly international business relationships."

Since her return from Stockholm a Swedish Agent has approached May to promote her work in Sweden.
She is looking forward to her Helsinki Experience.

www.contemporary-paintings.com - ©The Artist