Thursday, September 15th
6 PM to 7:30 PM
Create Appalachia Center for Art & Technology 225 W Center Street, Kingsport, TN 37660
Free Admission, in-person or via Zoom, but reservations required
Create Appalachia will kick off their 2023 Arts@Work Series with “Welcome to My Store! Visual Merchandising Basics for Small Retailers.” This class shows retailers how to create exciting window displays on any budget. Just in time for the holiday sales season, Cher Cornett’s class will offer inspiration and ideas to shopkeepers who want to bring positive attention to their products and services with imaginative and engaging window displays, converting casual passers-by to customers.
Cher asks some important questions for retailers to consider: “Be honest. Would you be attracted to your own store window? Would it make someone stop long enough to really notice your business and want to come in?” She then dives in to help them answer in the affirmative, with plenty of style and panache! Any retailer looking to up their game in this area will benefit from the advice and expertise shared during this session—not to mention having a good time coming up with ideas.
Cher says, “Retailers need to maintain their brand’s image while also piquing the interest of new customers. Exciting display windows and polished floor displays are within reach for any retailer, and at any budget. It just takes some storytelling and a little creativity.”
Participants will gain insights into focusing their merchandising objectives, creating a visual story for their displays, and staging products for higher impact. Tips and tricks for dressing and lighting your windows and display units will be covered. Handouts will be provided, and the PowerPoint presentation will be emailed post-workshop to registered attendees.
Register for the in-person session here.
Register for the online session here.
INSTRUCTOR BIO:
Cher Cornett started her graphic design career as a visual merchandiser at Macy Department Store in Augusta, GA, creating window and in-store displays. Many of her designs were also used in the Atlanta stores. The visual storytelling skills she learned influenced her approach to design for spaces and products throughout her career. Cher is currently an Associate Professor in the Digital Media Department at ETSU.
If you have questions or need further information, please contact Katie Hoffman: katie@createappalachia.org.
The Arts@Work Series supports self-employed artists and makers, freelancers and remote workers, creative entrepreneurs, and small businesses with free opportunities to develop their professional business skills. Topics include business strategy, marketing, communication and promotion, pricing, and client relations.
Create Appalachia strives to make the Appalachian Highlands a better place to live and work by supporting innovation and entrepreneurship that combines art, creativity, and technology. We work to sustain an environment that will generate new businesses, provide jobs in art-and-tech-based businesses, and highlight the important role that creativity plays in the region’s economic vitality. To learn more about Create Appalachia or to sign up for our monthly newsletter, please visit www.createappalachia.org.
If you have questions or require further information, please contact Katie Hoffman at katie@createappalachia.org.
