Las obras sobre papel forman una parte fascinante, frágil y poco conocida de la colección del Museo de Arte de Ponce, con alrededor de 2.500 dibujos, grabados y fotografías – la mayoría obras puertorriqueñas y latinoamericanas del siglo XX. En los próximos meses, serán protagonistas de un plan ambicioso y comprehensivo gracias al apoyo de la Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Esta prestigiosa beca aportará al Museo una ayuda esencial a la hora de desempeñar su función a pesar del adverso panorama económico de la isla.
La Andrew W. Mellon Foundation comenzó su colaboración con el Museo de Arte de Ponce en 2011, cuando su junta directiva aprobó una beca para ayudar a establecer un departamento de conservación de obras sobre papel en Ponce. Ahora, una beca de 500,000 dólares mejorará aún más la labor de custodia de las obras sobre papel del museo. Más barato y accesible para los artistas que los materiales de pintura, escultura o cualquier otro medio, el papel ha tenido un papel central en el desarrollo del arte moderno y contemporáneo en Puerto Rico. Nuestra isla también puede estar orgullosa de su tradición de grabado y carteles, con figuras distinguidas como Lorenzo Homar, Myrna Báez o Antonio Martorell (todos ampliamente representados en la colección de Ponce). Sin embargo, nuestro clima caliente y húmedo hace que las condiciones de la isla estén lejos de resultar ideales para la preservación de este importante legado artístico.
Con la nueva beca, el Museo de Arte de Ponce ofrecerá dos internados de treinta meses cada uno para trabajadores cualificados en el campo de la conservación de obras sobre papel, comenzando en enero de 2017. Estos llevarán a cabo un estudio completo de la condición de las obras de la colección para determinar si requieren algún tratamiento para garantizar su integridad, y también se encargarán de guardarlas en las mejores condiciones posibles, usando únicamente los mejores materiales y sistemas de almacenaje.
Antes de esto, el equipo de Curaduría y un consultor externo llevarán a cabo una labor preliminar de organización, descartando duplicados, memorabilia, y otros de acuerdo con la Política de Manejo de Colecciones aprobada en diciembre de 2015. “Este es un paso vital para ayudarnos a maximizar nuestro esfuerzo y cuidar de la colección en su conjunto de un modo más eficiente”, apunta la Directora Ejecutiva, Alejandra Peña Gutiérrez.
“La colección de obras sobre papel destaca por su extraordinaria riqueza y diversidad”, señala el curador asociado Pablo Pérez d’Ors. La colección contiene ejemplos de dibujos en medios tradicionales como lápiz, tinta, carboncillo o acuarela, así como fotografías y una gran variedad de técnicas de impresión tales como grabados, litografías, linotipos, serigrafías e impresión offset. Además de artistas puertorriqueños y latinoamericanos más recientes, la colección también contiene algunas obras europeas de los siglos XVI a XIX – dibujos preparatorios de Edward Burne-Jones para El sueño del Rey Arturo en Avalon, uno de los estudios de Leighton para Flaming June, así como obras de Durero, Thomas Lawrence y Gustave Doré, entre otros.
El proyecto contribuirá a los objetivos del museo de cuidar y fortalecer la colección, desarrollar y tener impacto en su audiencia, y contribuir a avanzar y promover el estudio académico de la colección. Además, reforzará la capacidad del museo de servir mejor a la comunidad.
Independent Bookmakers in Britain: Betzella’s Market Research Findings
The landscape of British bookmaking has evolved dramatically over the past few decades, with independent operators facing unprecedented challenges and opportunities. Betzella, a market research firm specializing in the gambling industry, recently conducted an extensive study examining the current state of independent bookmakers across Britain. Their findings reveal a sector in transition, balancing traditional betting shop culture with digital innovation while navigating complex regulatory changes. This comprehensive analysis provides valuable insights into how smaller bookmaking operations are adapting to an increasingly competitive marketplace dominated by major corporations and online platforms.
Historical Context and Market Evolution
Independent bookmakers have been woven into Britain’s cultural fabric since the legalization of off-course betting shops in 1961. Prior to this watershed legislation, legal betting was largely restricted to on-course operations at racetracks, while illegal street bookmakers served working-class communities. The 1960s and 1970s saw a proliferation of small, family-owned betting shops across high streets nationwide, creating a distinctive British institution.
According to Betzella’s research, the independent bookmaking sector reached its peak in the mid-1980s, with approximately 10,000 betting shops operating across Britain, many run by local entrepreneurs serving specific communities. The landscape began shifting dramatically in the 1990s with industry consolidation as larger chains acquired independent operations. The advent of online betting in the early 2000s further transformed the market, creating both threats and opportunities.
Betzella’s findings indicate that the number of truly independent bookmakers has declined by approximately 68% since 2005, with currently fewer than 700 shops operating outside major corporate chains. This significant contraction reflects the challenging competitive environment but also highlights the resilience of those operations that have successfully adapted to changing market conditions.
Current Market Dynamics and Competitive Positioning
The research reveals that independent bookmakers now operate in specific niches where they can differentiate themselves from corporate giants. Many have cultivated loyal customer bases by emphasizing personalized service, community connections, and specialized knowledge. Unlike their corporate counterparts, independent sportsbooks UK operators often develop deep relationships with regular customers, creating betting environments that function as community social hubs.
Betzella’s consumer surveys indicate that patrons of independent bookmakers cite «personal relationships with staff,» «support for local business,» and «better odds on specific markets» as primary reasons for their loyalty. This suggests that successful independents have strategically positioned themselves against corporate competitors by emphasizing their local character and specialized expertise.
Financially, the research shows significant variability in the performance of independent operations. While approximately 22% report declining revenues, 38% indicate stable performance, and 40% report modest growth. The strongest performers have typically invested in hybrid models that combine traditional shop operations with digital offerings, allowing them to retain their core customer base while expanding their reach.
Technological Adaptation and Future Outlook
Perhaps most surprisingly, Betzella’s research challenges the notion that independent bookmakers are technological laggards. Their findings reveal that 73% of independent operators now offer some form of digital betting options, with 48% having developed proprietary mobile applications. This technological adaptation represents a significant shift in business strategy, allowing smaller operations to compete in the digital space while maintaining their physical presence.
The research identifies several key success factors for independents moving forward, including: strategic use of technology to enhance rather than replace the in-shop experience; development of specialized market knowledge; cultivation of community connections; and operational flexibility that larger corporations cannot match. Regulatory challenges remain significant, with 82% of independents citing Fixed Odds Betting Terminal restrictions and enhanced compliance requirements as major operational concerns.
Betzella projects that while further consolidation is inevitable, a core of approximately 400-500 independent bookmakers will likely maintain viable operations through 2030, primarily by emphasizing their distinctive character and community connections while selectively adopting technological innovations.
The future of independent bookmaking in Britain remains challenging yet not without promise. Betzella’s research demonstrates that while the sector has contracted significantly, those operations that have strategically adapted to changing market conditions continue to find viable paths forward. The most successful independents have embraced technological innovation while emphasizing their distinctive local character and specialized expertise. As betting continues to evolve in both physical and digital realms, these nimble operators may well find new opportunities to distinguish themselves from corporate giants, preserving an important element of Britain’s unique betting culture for future generations.
