Guernsey Arts and TISE launch virtual reality gallery to showcase local artists
- Guernsey Arts has launched a virtual reality gallery in partnership with The International Stock Exchange to showcase local artists online
- The platform features a digital walkthrough of the Greenhouse Gallery's current exhibition, "The Bleeding Veil" by Etienne Marquis
- The virtual gallery, produced by The Quarry, removes barriers of location, opening hours and physical capacity
- The initiative makes art accessible to people with additional needs who cannot visit in person and reaches international audiences
- Etienne Marquis is the first artist featured in what will be a series of exhibition archives
Guernsey Arts has launched a new virtual reality gallery in partnership with The International Stock Exchange (TISE), creating a digital platform to showcase local artists and make art more accessible to audiences locally and internationally.
The virtual exhibition, produced by local media company The Quarry, presents a walkthrough of Guernsey Arts' Greenhouse Gallery, currently featuring "The Bleeding Veil" by Etienne Marquis. The initiative reflects a shared commitment between Guernsey Arts and TISE to support local artists and create accessible opportunities for people to engage with culture.
The Quarry's virtual gallery allows visitors to experience local artwork online from any location, expanding beyond the limitations of a traditional physical exhibition. The digital format creates opportunities for people who may not ordinarily visit the Greenhouse Gallery to discover and engage with local art.
By creating a permanent online home for the exhibition, access is not restricted by location, opening hours or physical capacity. The platform offers an inclusive way for families, residents, visitors and art enthusiasts to experience the exhibition at a time that suits them.
Mark Oliphant, head of marketing and communications at TISE, said: "We're delighted to support this fantastic initiative from Guernsey Arts. Delivering a high-quality Virtual Gallery makes the exhibition accessible for all, including those with additional needs who are unable to visit the gallery in-person, while also giving local talent the platform to reach an international audience. We hope everyone enjoys utilising this extended feature of the exhibition."
The virtual gallery demonstrates how sponsorship and creative partnerships can help broaden access to the arts while providing meaningful opportunities for local artists.
Rebecca Booth, chief executive at Guernsey Arts, said: "This project is about putting local creativity centre stage. Sponsorship has enabled us to work with The Quarry to create a professional platform for Etienne, while the virtual format means the exhibition can be enjoyed by a much wider audience. It is a great example of how supporting one artist can have a positive ripple effect across the community."
Etienne Marquis, the featured artist, said: "I feel proud and honoured to be the first in this series of exhibition archives. The bleeding veil was a love letter to Guernsey's rich history of magic and storytelling. Its beauty and wonder amazed me as a child and I'm proud to return the favour by continuing its legacy and hopefully inspiring another generation of storytellers."
Warren Mauger, founder of The Quarry, said: "We love producing Virtual Exhibitions because they make art exhibitions accessible to people beyond the physical walls and timeframe of the show. It's a way of reaching outside of the physical space. We have seen these shown to people who would not be able to visit and also helps showcase the island's art far beyond our shores and show off the amazing cultural work that goes on here."
Visitors can explore other virtual art galleries by The Quarry here.
Organisations interested in partnership opportunities can contact Louise by email at [email protected] or by phoning 01481 220712.
Q&A
Q: Where can I view the virtual gallery?
A: The virtual gallery can be accessed online at https://www.arts.gg/exhibitions/the-bleeding-veil-etienne-marquis/ and is available to view from any location at any time.
Q: Who produced the virtual reality gallery?
A: The virtual exhibition was produced by The Quarry, a local Guernsey media company, with sponsorship from The International Stock Exchange (TISE).
Q: What exhibition is currently featured in the virtual gallery?
A: The virtual gallery currently showcases "The Bleeding Veil" by Etienne Marquis, which is inspired by Guernsey's history of magic and storytelling. Marquis is the first artist in what will be a series of exhibition archives.
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