Paris Street Window Takeover – Exeter’s budding creatives called to enter new competition

A new initiative launches today, giving Exeter’s emerging artists and designers a unique opportunity to take over a large window space on Paris Street.

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 both Princesshay and Exeter City Council.

Charlotte Froud 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 have supported the project from its initial stages and offered up the window of number six Paris Street, the former ELK hairdressers, for the whole of September. Exeter City Council has also awarded the project a small arts fund meaning the shortlisted artists will receive £50 towards the cost of materials.

The competition is appealing for designers, illustrators, installation artists, typographers and makers to submit their dream window displays to fit the theme, ‘Less is More’. The theme encourages entrants to use simple materials in clever ways to create maximum impact.

There are four spaces up for grabs and all entries will be judged by a panel of industry experts. For entry details visit www.parisstreetwindowtakeover.co.uk.

This latest initiative follows a community project from the Exeter YMCA who are currently occupying the Paris Street space with their ‘Communicafe’, a pop-up community café.