For Immediate Release:
11/24/99
From: Tim Patterson
Subject: ArtifactGallery.com
For further information contact:
Tim Patterson
Ph# 312.243.1020 fax#312.243.0302
Email: artifact@ocd3.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CHICAGO ARTISTS' ONLINE GALLERY GAINING NATIONAL ATTENTION
ArtifactGallery.com (http://artifactgallery.com), an online art, craft and artisans portal site developed by a group of women artists, is
capturing interest beyond its original Chicago focus. From its humble beginnings in a local coffee house, ArtifactGallery.com is now
the home of artists from around the country and around the world. Media and industry honchos are taking notice.
ArtifactGallery.com director Tracey Cave was contacted by Time Inc. this week, with a request to have her site featured in Sony Style
Magazine's Web Adventures in an upcoming issue. "Of course we were pleased to be included," Tracey stated "and we've sent our
information & images off to their Art Director. We are all truly surprised and thrilled at the buzz that our 'little web site' has created
nationally"
ArtifactGallery.com was put together in August of 1999 as the result of a conversation between a few friends over coffee. Artists
Claudia Cleveland, Tracey Cave and Christina Gillespie of OCD3 Design Group (http://ocd3.com) thought that by pooling web
development and artist networking resources, they could create an online art gallery that would expose the work of non-net-savvy
artist friends to a larger audience via the worldwide web. Though their effort was met initially with some disbelief and predictions of
gloom and doom, the site was successfully launched on September 1, 1999, and continues to gain new exhibitors and visitors daily.
"We put ArtifactGallery together with an all-volunteer staff, no budget and a lot of determination" says site designer Christina
Gillespie. "There were many all-nighters, with Tracey and I working on the site, writing email, and begging for help. We've gotten to
the point now where we are training interns to help us keep the site maintained, answer requests for information and add new galleries.
It's been hectic - but it's very exciting to see it grow so much in such a short time."
Chicago based DotCom Marketing, Inc. ( http://dotcommkt.com ) generously supplied ArtifactGallery with valuable assistance in the
areas of hosting and training. In addition, DotCom recently chose ArtifactGallery.com as a development site for it's new V-Flex Site
Management System. DotCom's Web Development Guru, Jon Herrmann has nothing but kudos for ArtifactGallery's efforts. "We like
their concept, and are very impressed with the work they've put into the site to make it all come together. They have always focused
on supplying a much needed service and resource to artists. That focus is why we believe ArtifactGallery.com will continue to grow
beyond its grassroots beginnings."
Meanwhile, ArtifactGallery.com is gearing up for what will probably be a very busy Holiday Shopping season. With handcrafted
jewelry from noted metalsmiths such as Todd Reed, Claudia Cleveland and Anna Pertzoff, Raku pottery from Joyce Kristoffy-Hewlett
and Artist Toni Louis's Potion Pots, ArtifactGallery.com looks like the perfect place on the Internet to find that one-of-a-kind gift for
"the person who has everything". "It's incredible!" Christina Gillespie sighs: "I've picked out art furniture, glass ornaments, folk art
and prints from ArtifactGallery.com that I want to buy for some special people on my holiday gift list - but I've been so busy working
on the site that I haven't had a chance to order anything! Tracey keeps reminding me how many shopping days there are until
Christmas!"
ArtifactGallery.com is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week , year round at http://artifactgallery.com