Joining A Gallery

[Dan]

last night I went to a gallery and brought a bunch of my wood turnings to sell to one of the owners. she bought a bunch of my bowls and containers and then the two owners gave me the information on joining with the prices. it basically comes down to 192 dollars for a 12 months 108 for 6 months 60 for 3 months that's basically 16 bucks a month. and then they take 10 percent of the sales. my concern is that it is in a smaller town in the middle of the state. and they have only been around a year. they only get the word out with Face book they don't even have a website yet.

 

 

they had one band saw box maker who sells his stuff there and the lady who bought my stuff was going to send me his phone number so I can talk to him. thought I would ask if he was able to get his initial investment back since they say he is the second best selling artist there.

 

 

the owners really like my stuff and the ideas of the stuff that I plan on making with the more complicated inlay techniques. using different stones and they were very enthusiastic about having my turnings in their shop.

 

 

so those of you that have had anything in a gallery what kind of questions should I ask? what kind of information should I find out before I commit to this place. I feel like the prices are prity reasonable but I don't want to pay them to store my artwork there when I can stick it in a cardboard box under my bed until the next craft sale

[Tony N]

have only had a few carvings in one off exhibtions and having sold the odd carving all i can say is give it ago for 3 months and see how it goes least the 10per cent is less than most galleries charge being that its only been open a year it can only get better wish i had the chance you have been given i wish you all the best and hope it get you work out there and more well knowen hope this helps

[Ken R]

Dan,

$16.00 a month is alot less than a "member" gallery here. They want $300.00 to join plus $125.00 amonth plus you have to work 16 hours amonth in the gallery and provide a bottle of wine for the monthly opening. A 20% commision. I ran from that gallery.

I have worked in two galleries, and sold my jewelry thru six galleries and jewelry stores. Most galleries are honest and will treat you well, there are just enough gallery owners who are dishonest, slow to pay, etc. to warrent caution. I would talk to as many artists from any galleries you are thinking about selling thru. When asking question of gallery owners/staff think of it asif your hiring them (you are). There are books and most likely web sites that can give ideas of questions to ask etc.

Ken

[Dan]

300 plus 125 a month plus your working for them and paying for that privilege. what a rip off if im going to work that hard and pay them for the privilege I better be selling 20000 art pieces. ill look at for a few web sites and see what I can find.