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Sculptors Association of Alberta

··549 words·3 mins
Ryan Horricks
Author
Ryan Horricks
Engineer and Storyteller | I create solutions that bridge software, hardware, and human experience. With a passion for learning and a knack for problem-solving, I turn ideas into reality, driven by curiosity and a love for innovation.
Table of Contents

Client: Sculptors Association of Alberta
Role: WordPress Developer

Overview
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For the Sculptors Association of Alberta, I developed a dynamic Member Gallery and a custom e-commerce storefront using WordPress and WooCommerce to support the Pivot Point Art Show & Sale during the COVID lockdowns. This project addressed the association’s critical funding shortfall while showcasing its members’ artwork to a broader audience. Additionally, I implemented advanced member management functionality, enabling members to update their profiles and link their external websites or social media accounts, while integrating access controls tied to membership dues.

Challenges and Objectives
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  • Addressing a Funding Shortfall: Supporting the association’s efforts to replace in-person art shows with an online alternative and mitigating financial losses.
  • Customized Member Gallery: Developing a gallery that linked profiles, external links, and other site elements while enabling self-management for members.
  • e-Commerce Integration: Building a cost-effective storefront for the Pivot Point Art Show & Sale to generate revenue.
  • Site Performance Optimization: Enhancing site speed and scalability to accommodate increased traffic during the event.
  • Custom Theme Development: Implementing a Child Theme to ensure site modifications were robust against future updates.

My Contributions
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1. Customized Member Gallery #

  • Developed a responsive Member Gallery using CSS, HTML, and PHP, enabling members to showcase their work while providing links to personal websites or social media profiles.
  • Created a self-service member profile system, allowing members to log in, update their details, and have changes reflected in real-time for visitors.
  • Integrated membership-based access controls, ensuring visibility and access were limited to those with active, paid memberships.

2. Pivot Point Art Show & Sale
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  • Developed a custom e-commerce storefront using WooCommerce, integrating it seamlessly into the existing WordPress site.
  • Provided intuitive navigation and secure payment processing to enhance the shopping experience for over 1,000 visitors during the event.

3. Performance Optimization
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  • Identified performance issues due to shared hosting limitations and worked with the hosting provider to upgrade to a more suitable plan.
  • Implemented caching and other optimizations to ensure the site could handle increased traffic without downtime.

4. Custom Theme Implementation
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  • Developed and implemented a Child Theme, allowing for robust and maintainable customizations using CSS and PHP.
  • Used FTP to efficiently manage file uploads and updates, ensuring seamless integration with the live site.

Outcomes and Results
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  • Successful Art Show & Sale: Attracted over 1,000 unique visitors during the event, generating over $5,000 in sales and $2,500 in revenue for the association.
  • Enhanced Member Functionality: Delivered a self-service Member Gallery with linked profiles and external links, improving visibility for individual members and tying access to active memberships.
  • Enhanced Site Performance: Resolved critical hosting and performance issues, ensuring smooth operations during the high-traffic period.
  • Robust Customizations: Delivered a flexible and future-proof WordPress solution using a Child Theme, simplifying ongoing site management.

Reflection
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This project highlighted my ability to deliver impactful solutions under tight constraints, blending technical expertise with an understanding of the art community’s needs. From addressing performance challenges to creating a feature-rich Member Gallery and e-commerce experience, I contributed to the Sculptors Association of Alberta’s success during a critical time.

Technical Summary
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  • Skills: WordPress Development, e-Commerce Integration, Member Management, Responsive Design, Performance Optimization
  • Tools: WordPress, WooCommerce, CSS, HTML, PHP, FTP
  • Specialized Tasks: Customized Member Gallery Development, WooCommerce Integration, Hosting Optimization, Custom Theme Development

Gallery #