Hi everyone -
About three years ago I launched a social network called "FStop" to connect visual artists to one another. It was a fun project (it even earned press coverage: http://fstopfm.presskithero.com/articles) but the costs were prohibitive as we never quite hit a tipping point where monetization made sense, so it's now on autopilot and is currently no more than a proof-of-concept.
I'm now wondering if there's any value in pivoting this platform towards homeowners and painters. I have a big blank wall in my home and have decided to commission a local artist to paint a mural on it. I'm very excited because this project will make my condo unique while supporting the local arts, and I was surprised by just how many talented artists responded to my Craigslist gig. It seems there's a great supply of artists at all price ranges offering their services, but I wonder if there's some hidden demand for those services out there (among AirBnB hosts especially).
My question to you is: Would you pay for a local artist to paint a mural on the wall(s) of your listings? If so, why? If not, why not?
Reasons I see for:
- It supports local artists (directly by paying for their service; indirectly by exposing their work to a constant stream of guests)
- It personalizes your listing in a unique, culturally valuable way (possibly a competitive advantage)
- It may be cheaper than wallpaper, depending on the "tier" of painter you hire
Reasons I see against:
- It's more expensive than standard paint
- It may be a turn-off if the style isn't aligned with guest preferences
Thoughts?