4 minute read
Alexander the Great
Colinton Arts, established in 1981, is an Edinburghbased, family run gallery and framing business serving the city itself and the central belt of Scotland.
Today it is owned and run by Lindsey Alexander, who took it over from his father Bill in 2019.
Lindsey had always planned to relaunch the business with a focus on art and framing but the pandemic brought the changes forward as he spent much of lockdown refurbishing the property and sourcing new lines. Switching from being a sole trader to a limited company was a very wise call, bringing vital support at a crucial time and helping to fund that period of uncertainty and the investment needed to relaunch the business. Lindsey has transformed what was a much-loved local framers and gift shop into a fully-fledged fine art gallery and respected framing business.
Artists on show
Today, Colinton Arts has a new exhibition every four to six weeks. Next up, from 8th September to 8th October is Rosie Playfair and Stephanie Pijper with ‘Woodland and Wonders’.
The launch of each show is a great opportunity to invite customers and friends of the business to view the art and enjoy a few drinks to the soundtrack of some jazz. A key part of Lindsey’s sales strategy these days is to encourage artists and people buying art to use his framing services and for his framing customers to be inspired by art. And it is working, as people are travelling from further and further afield to enjoy the Colinton Arts experience.
“But we don’t just want customers, we want advocates. We want people to be so happy with their art that they can’t wait to tell their friends and family about us - and having more happy customers means we get to do even bigger things!”
Colinton Arts is very much a quality offer, with a focus on skill and craftsmanship. The calibre of Lindsey’s team is truly impressive. “I am really proud of the team who bring serious talent as well as energy to our business,” he says.
Left to right: Bill Alexander, artist John Byrne and Lesley
Lindsey says: “We have a real mix of customers, from serious art connoisseurs to those new to the creative world. The property market has gone crazy here as more people move up from London to enjoy a better quality of life – and that includes buying bigger homes with more wall space that requires suitable pictures!
Meet the team
Lindsey is a South African born entrepreneur with a passion for beautiful spaces. He has full support and assistance from his creative wife Cath (who also works for the NHS in the speech and language department), gallery manager Lesley Briggs, framer Mhairi Green and framing and restoration technician Yotam Sivan.
Cath, a successful South African author, has been integral in sourcing and purchasing art and gifts for Colinton Arts and has now handed over the new dedicated role of fine art curation to gallery manager Lesley, who adeptly seeks out new and exciting trends and talent both in Scotland and internationally. Lesley joined Colinton Arts in May 2021. After spending much of her career in fashion, Lesley took her passion and knowledge of fine art to new levels with an MA in History of Art, membership of the Association of Women Art Dealers and a series of art business courses at Christie’s.
Mhairi joined Colinton Arts in 2017 after completing her degree in Design. Finding inspiration in art she will work with the customer to find the ideal frame for them. Whether it’s art, tapestries, shirts, medals, watches or jigsaws, she loves to find ways to frame all the objects that come into the workshop and show them at their best.
Hailing from Haifa, Yotam arrived in Edinburgh with his girlfriend at the end of 2019. In 2020, he started his Master’s degree in Art at Glasgow School of Art and puts his technical skills to good use helping to fix and restore damaged artworks to their former glories.
Lindsey Alexander
Left to right: Mhairi, Lesley and Cath
Mouldings
Lindsey buys Larson-Juhl mouldings for his premium framing commissions, with Microtech Veneers being one of his favourites – please see left.
4walls was delighted to hear that area sales manager Lisa Frazer Orrick is highly rated by Lindsey. He says: “Lisa is always available, and whenever I ask for something, it is sorted quickly. We have built a really strong relationship and it’s good to be working with someone who is so reliable, who you can ring anytime.”
Spreading the word
Lindsey and his team are firm believers in the power of marketing and invest in monthly newsletters, a quality website and social media activity. Colinton Arts also sponsors a local junior football team – for whom Lindsey and Cath’s son Harry plays.
Looking to the future, Lindsey is planning to grow both the art and the framing sides of the business. For example, attracting more corporate clients needing framing on a regular basis, from certificates and parchments, to conservation and restoration of art. They are also actively seeking out strategic relationships with hospitality venues to showcase fine art.
