Galleries and shows?

[hunchback]

hey guys got a few questions about art galleries and such.

There arent a whole lot of shows around here, but there are a couple of galleries. I mean from personal experience is it simply a place where you show off your art. Is it really expensive to show stuff or does the gallery get like a cut of the commisions? Should I advertise for a show, am i allowed to ?

any feedback would be great:hugsmile:

thanks!

[Msegal]

I am particularly a newb myself but;

You go to the gallery and see if it is the right place for your art

You get a meeting with the art dealer, bring one piece of work with you and some digital samples of say 15 pieces. Then they decide if you need more work or if your in. Galleries in general look for consistency in your work.

Most galleries take 50%.

[hunchback]

man 50 % sounds pretty wild.

guess im gonna have to jack the prices up

[dpaint]

Usually galleries take work on consignment and they cut you a check when the work sells minus their commission, which should never be more than 40% of the retail value of the piece.

You decide the price and the gallery agrees to it or they don't. Pieces should be framed, matted etc. That is the artists responsibility beware of galleries that insist they frame and charge you for the frame from sales these are scams and they make their money framing not selling art.

A gallery should pay for advertising as part of their business. For a one man show it is acceptable to split the fee with the gallery but make sure you know what it will cost ahead of time.

Also a gallery should have its own client list and when a client buys your work they need to supply you with the contact information. Never give your own list to a gallery.

Don't undercut your galleries and don't sell to clients behind their back that is the quickest way to be kicked out of a gallery. The retail price of your work should be consistent whether someone buys it through a gallery or directly from you.

Make sure you have a contract and a consignment sheet when you consign work to a gallery. The contract should state price, length of time for payment, how much notice the parties need to desolve the contract and how long the contract is for.

[Msegal]

man 50 % sounds pretty wild.

guess im gonna have to jack the prices up

I've been told and it seems logical... compare your work to something similar in the gallery; and maybe your piece is equal in quality but you are a newcomer. So adjust the price accordingly.

[tedjohn09]

Sound perfect!!!
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[Qitsune]

I have to recommend the book "How to survive and prosper as an artist." It's on Amazon and it's cheap. It covers everything from gallery contracts to promoting one's art to meeting gallery owners.

[dbclemons]

Galleries operate differently. Check out their exhibits, preferably visit the place in person. Many seem to already have more artists than they can handle. Find one that you would be a good fit in terms of subject matter, and in a place you'd like to be shown.

Check out their website for whether or not they're even looking at submissions or what their guidelines are and obey them. At many places you can't even get seen unless you have already established yourself somewhere else. Like any other job, experience helps.

Most places I've dealt with over the years expect 50% of sales, occassionally less, but there are non-profits or co-ops who expect very little or nothing from the artists. You might not get much benefit from them, but it's a start.

"Jacking your price up" might not be an option. For new members you'll likely have to keep your prices close to what other members are selling for. Artists who have been showing there awhile will have the highest price range. Love it or leave it.

They almost all have exclusivity clauses in their contract. It states that only they can sell your work within a certain region, such as their city limits. Read the contract carefully before you sign it and get them to explain things to you clearly. If it doesn't smell right, walk away. Ask what they will do to sell your work. In some cases it's little more than open their doors, but other owners will work their butt off.