Sunday, January 20, 2013

How to Show your Art in Local Galleries

  
 The gallery is a business, just like any retailer, it uses vendors to supply the merchandise it sells to make a profit. Galleries will take a sales commission from the retail sales price when the art sells. Rarely, does the gallery buy the art direct. 
 Jean Bourque and Deb Hart

  Sales commission rates are negotiable especially the higher percentage rates. The quoted split is usually 50/50 but tends to be lower in small galleries, artist's co-ops, and galleries that house other businesses on the premises. 



   Not all art will sell in all galleries. Many times a gallery will have a certain type of art based on their existing clientele. Not all galleries are created equal. Most "mall galleries" are set up to rent wall space on a monthly basis.  I have known many artists that have been very disappointed about the lack of sales. The "mall gallery" is in the space rental business, not art sales business.



   Visit as many galleries as you can. Observe the art, the framing, the customer flow and the sales staff. Act like a regular customer look at the art prices, the artists names, and the clientele that shops there. If the staff speaks do not talk about your art. Do not  announce you are an artist and would love to show at this gallery, unless you have been invited and have an appointment. That is the art gallery directors pet peeve!



   When you think you have found the gallery for your work check out their website. If they offer a newsletter or guest book, do sign up so you can be contacted when the gallery is having shows and start attending them. If you know artists that show there you may want to ask them how they like the gallery.




   Check with the Better Business Bureau to make sure they have had no complaints on the gallery or the owner/director. Google the gallery and to see what type of web presence they have. You should find articles about events the gallery has held, take your time to look at those. You want to know that they do sell art and promote artists on a regular basis. 




   If you feel this is the gallery for you, start attending their events so you can develop a relationship with the artists, the gallery directors, owners, managers and staff. Never talk about your art at someone else's art opening, that is very rude. Even if asked; just discreetly hand out your business card and say give me a call. Don't you just love their art work! Keep the focus on the featured artist and the gallery!



   Some will tell you they do not accept unsolicited art inquiries. In that case, the only way to get in would be through a referral from someone the gallery already does business with; either one of their clients or one of their artists. 



   After you have been to several events the director and staff should know you by name. Then you can call or email and ask about meeting to look over your portfolio. It takes patience. Some times before getting to that point; they will ask you to bring in samples of your art. 


Happy Gallery showings to you... 

Yours truly,
Jean Bourque

PS All artwork here by (me) Jean Bourque 

Art that Looks like Fun!



Monday, January 7, 2013

Mind Gravy at Drip Coffee Wed Jan 9 2013 8-10pm

Dean Cook featured Musician Returning and Renewed


Keith E Bates featured Poet... Musings with Magic Elixir 
*****
Wednesday evening Mind Gravy hosted by Al Black will be from 8-10 PM at Drip Coffee in Five Points, not too far from The SpeakEasy...Columbia, SC. See you there :)

yours truly
Jeanee

SC HAS A LOT TO OFFER

PATHS
Oil Painting
by Jean Bourque

SC gets picked on a lot in the media. It seems there is always some amusing incident happening here. 
BUT
I maintain that SC is a fun place to live. Columbia, the capital of SC was strategically planned to be in the middle of the state. A brilliant idea for those of us that like to go places! It has proven to be a great location to get to the coast and visit wonderful places like Edisto State Park, Hilton Head, the lovely city of Charleston or family friendly Myrtle Beach. Or you can go west and visit the foothills and the wonderful cities of Rock Hill, Spartanburg, Greenville and Anderson. All of these places have a lot to offer for art lovers!
NOW
I don't want to forget the middle of the state such as Columbia, Newberry, Sumter, Camden, Lancaster, Aiken, Greenwood, Lake City and Darlington and Florence, 
SOUTH CAROLINA!
Every place named here has a thriving art community filled with visual artists, local musicians, singers, songwriters and performers with  home town theater, festivals, art walks, arts centers,  symphony, ballet, dance, poetry groups, photographers, sculptors, jewelry makers, craftspeople and a multitude of museums and historical buildings. 

HOME SWEET HOME....SOUTH CAROLINA
A WONDERFUL STATE THAT 
has a lot to offer 
YOURS TRULY,
JEANEE