About Shoreline
Sarah Gibbon and Vivienne Rose set up the trading partnership Shoreline in 2019. They had met at Goldsmiths, a leading Arts University in London, many years previously and formed strong professional and friendship bonds when working in creative, IT, estates and finance management roles there over three decades.
During weekends away with a group of good friends known as "The Golden Girls" they had hatched plans for establishing a creative business by the sea, and had begun looking for premises in Thanet, preparing for a time when neither of them was commuting back to London. Sarah had already set up Margate Made (pop up makers' market events) and had established strong creative and learning networks in Thanet. They were approached by the leader of The Eclectic Art Gallery collective, to take on their gallery in Margate’s Old Town, and move it forward, giving it a fresh look and drive. Shoreline undertook and enjoyed this challenge enormously, the refitted space is now successfully supporting local fine artists, and has expanded to include some new disciplines and talents.
Still looking for that extra opportunity to open a larger Galleria space and offer affordable exhibiting and selling opportunities to more local talented artists, makers and creatives. In November 2019 they opened Westgate Galleria at 29 Station Road in Westgate-on-Sea. This has two large, airy, well-lit and inviting spaces exhibiting unique and original art, crafts, homeware, accessories and gifts created by Kent-based Artists and Makers. It also has workshop and meeting hire spaces.
Despite the challenges of a global pandemic, Shoreline has thrived and now supports nearly 150 local artists, makers, crafters and writers to sell their work in Margate, Westgate-on-Sea and online. It has a wide customer-base including Thanet's residents and businesses and visitors from further afield.
In early 2024 Vivienne retired, having helped the business develop a reputation for running an inclusive and accessible operation, well-known for its large showcase exhibitions and public open calls as well as its own art galleries.
Sarah now runs Shoreline supported by a core group of the creatives who sell their work in the galleries, some of whom have been with them since day one. It continues to be run on a socially responsible business model, which enables her clients to run their small artisan businesses by renting low cost display spaces, and pay a small commission for professional selling and promotional services. This means they receive the majority of the income made from their sales.
It is the home of Margate Made, Westgate Galleria, and the Eclectic Art Gallery, Margate. Both galleries have been re-fitted and extended in Spring 2024 and are now involved with supporting various community arts and local traders' shop-local projects.