Artists bring empty shop window to life

Published: 6 September 2018

Artists from Exeter have transformed an empty shop window in the city centre with a series of stunning designs.

Princesshay donated the window of 6 Paris Street throughout September for a design competition to create bespoke designs to liven up a blank store window.

And a Small Arts Grant from Exeter City Council allowed the creative ideas to become a reality.

The result is four striking, imaginative and colourful displays created by Exeter artists Jess Pearson, Susie Baird, Harriet Googe, Corrine Ellis and Caoimhe McKenna.

Exeter-based designer Charlotte Froud approached Princesshay with the idea for the competition to use the large available window display space on Paris Street. The initiative has been supported by Princesshay and city council.

Charlotte said: “The idea has come from my own experience as a designer, and, in 2014, having the amazing opportunity to display my work on the Southbank.

“This got my work seen which helped me to progress into freelance styling and visual merchandising. I am hoping this initiative gives up and coming Exeter designers a chance to get their work out into the public domain as well as bringing the window to life.”

Princesshay supported the project from its initial stages and offered up the window of number 6 Paris Street, the former ELK hairdressers, for the whole of September. The council’s small arts fund meant the shortlisted artists received £50 towards the cost of materials.

The competition encouraged artists to create their dream window displays on the theme ‘Less is More’, encouraging entrants to use simple materials in clever ways to create maximum impact.