Retail initiative expands its reach

Re:So champions the talents of Solent’s learning community across a range of creative disciplines. At a permanent shop in The Spark, on Solent’s city centre campus, products including jewellery, cards, homeware, clothing and prints made by students and graduates are on sale to the public.

Set in the heart of Hedge End, The Dart is a popular community hub which offers a range of activities for all the community. Alongside this, the centre sells products made by local artists in a dedicated art shop, and is now welcoming Re:So makers into the fold.

From Thursday 17 April, a selection of products from Re:So will be on sale at The Dart Centre. The product selection will be frequently updated, giving every maker at Re:So the opportunity to reach new audiences.

This collaboration has been championed by Sarah Peters, an MA Visual Communication alumna who worked at Re:So as a Graduate Intern (Retail and Marketing). Sarah is now The Dart’s Arts Centre Assistant. On introducing Re:So products to The Dart’s art shop, Sarah says:

“Showcasing the fresh, vibrant and bold pieces from Re:So’s designers, makers and artists gives Solent’s students and graduates a chance to sell their products, and also shows pupils at Wildern School, which is part of The Raise Education Trust, what they could aim for if they pursued higher education in the arts. It seemed like a really good opportunity all round, giving excellent visibility to their creations with a new and engaged crowd.”

Re:So offers up to 2,000 hours a year of work-based learning, giving students the opportunity to learn different skills, from visual merchandising to running a business. Sarah says, “My graduate internship at Re:So was genuinely a transformative experience. It allowed me to transition from a job that wasn’t quite the right fit and fully immerse myself in the creative sector in a retail environment. The opportunity directly led to me landing my dream job at The Dart Centre.”

Handmade products from Re:So are now a permanent fixture in The Dart Centre, allowing visitors the opportunity to browse and buy bespoke items. Senior Lecturer at Solent, Lesley Taylor, says:

"The opportunity to collaborate with The Dart Centre puts Re:So's designers and artists in front of a new customer base within the Southampton community, including the pupils at Wildern School. It is testament to Sarah, who managed Re:So as a Graduate Intern, that this link is in place, and we are discussing collaborative events that will give Solent's students work-based learning opportunities."