jd.steveni@COMCAST.NET on fri 8 jun 12
Hi List
This is such a tricksy area. Lots of the usual cooperative gallery anecdote=
s coming through. That's different. You'd expect an up front joining fee an=
d percentage of sales to go to maintenance, and pulling regular shifts staf=
fing the co-op, and showing up to clean the rug, and the toilets, and fill =
holes in the walls, and rehang the lighting, and pull weeds from the parkin=
g patch. If a co-op makes sense politically and practically for you, go no =
further.
But, like others on list, I am very leery of a pay to show fee in an estab=
lished gallery which seems to becoming un-established and unravelling. And =
if they ask for your mailing list as part of the deal. Forget about it. Sma=
cks of sheer desperation. Wouldn't hesitate if a Reception contribution was=
asked for ensuring decent plonk and edible nibblies....Try as I may with i=
nformation sheets updated regularly tucked into my file for reference linke=
d to sales, chats with owners/managers, I still have had feedback that it d=
oesn't really work. I send in ringers. Yes, I do. And you should too. And h=
eaven help you if you're the only potter being shown and floor walkers have=
n't a flaming clue about processes and so forth and can't be arsed to check=
your file for info sheets you've taken time write up.
Sooooo. Some solutions: Get into the local farmer's market, throw open your=
studio a couple of times a year for Open House. Get started and continue t=
o service etsy or other online craft based venues. There have been loads of=
models cited on this forum where people have done just that. Holiday sales=
are very popular. Check out the dates which fall before the big holidays a=
nd arrange something. Now.
Keep your contact list up to date. The artbiz boffins say we should be addi=
ng 10 names month to list. At least. I really admire those who service man=
y venues with their work and have gallery representation country-wide. Worl=
d-wide for some on this list. It's hard graft to get to that position, well=
done. But, I'll bet they're as scare as hen's teeth -- those who know the =
neighbors and get squiffy with them on that decent plonk you've bought in f=
or the occasion.
Dinah
Mount Vernon, WA.
www.dinahsnipessteveni.com
www.dinahsnipessteveni.wordpress.com
www.etsy.com/shop/DinahSnipesSteveni
dinahsnipessteveni.tumblr.com
William & Susan Schran User on sat 9 jun 12
On 6/8/12 5:35 PM, "jd.steveni@COMCAST.NET" wrote:
>But, like others on list, I am very leery of a pay to show fee in an
>established gallery which seems to becoming un-established and
>unravelling. And if they ask for your mailing list as part of the deal.
>Forget about it. Smacks of sheer desperation. Wouldn't hesitate if a
>Reception contribution was asked for ensuring decent plonk and edible
>nibblies....Try as I may with information sheets updated regularly tucked
>into my file for reference linked to sales, chats with owners/managers, I
>still have had feedback that it doesn't really work. I send in ringers.
>Yes, I do. And you should too. And heaven help you if you're the only
>potter being shown and floor walkers haven't a flaming clue about
>processes and so forth and can't be arsed to check your file for info
>sheets you've taken time write up.
I have mentioned previously that my wife and I owned an art/craft gallery
for about a decade. Started it because we had extra space in my wife's
photo studio and slowly evolved into a 1500 sq. ft. gallery. We did
monthly shows of local and regional artists, all on commission, and sold
fine crafts (all materials) that we mostly bought wholesale. Started
gallery in 1989 and it grew every year, but expenses also grew. We decided
in 1999 to shut down the operation, getting out without owing anybody
anything. We just got tired of a joy that turned into a burden - a 24/7
business with no breaks, no vacations.
If the gallery works on commission, you live within easy driving distance
and you have a consignment agreement signed by both parties, then ok, give
it a try. Just remember, your percentage of sales belong to you, not the
gallery! Don't EVER let the gallery fall behind paying you monthly!
I've spoken with a couple folks I know who do wholesaling big time and
they both say sales are down - it's gotten tough out there.
Doing shows out of your stdio or a group show out of somebody's home is a
good idea - with good planning and marketing.
Bill
--
William "Bill" Schran
wschran@cox.net
wschran@nvcc.edu
http://www.creativecreekartisans.com
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