Myth's about Vanity Galleries

There has been a bit of rumblings on the Internet art networks about Vanity Galleries. Lots of discussion. First would ask, what do you think of when you hear the title Vanity Gallery? does it come across as negative?

For most artists it does, but if you look pass that first title and look to the benefits, there is some justification for that sort of space.

Now I would ask how many types of galleries do you think there are?
Let's see if I can list them
Commercial Galleries
Cooperative Galleries
Exhibition Galleries
Vanity Galleries
Regional Galleries
Private Galleries
and Internet Galleries
most of the above list are explanatory.

Commercial Gallery would be the standard 50/40% commission gallery that usually deals with their set "stable" of artists. They are comfortable with the work they exhibit and know it's sales value.

Cooperative Galleries are galleries that have a collective of artists who have grouped together to pool their resources for a venue to exhibit their work. The availability of artists at hand to produce work or even commission pieces directly for clients. It has little or no commissions attached to the art work so the savings is passed on to the customer. Cooperative does handle the artists in a creative manner. It allows the artists to expand their thinking processes by helping them to balance some matters on the left side of the brain. If a cooperative gallery is in a well trafficked area, is managed and handled well, the benefits of artists running the show is doubled, everyone benefits- client and artist

Vanity Galleries and Exhibition Gallery are those that have a space with lights that may be rented by individuals for a fee to host their own shows. There is little or no input from the actual owner of the space. Their fees are directly related to the rent of the space and sometimes to a % of sales made during the event. If an artist wishes to be involved from top to bottom then this for them

I am sure the last two types of galleries are self explanatory.Private and Regional.

Though there is some negativity in calling a gallery "Vanity", there are benefits.

some responses from other artists on www.Painterkeys.com

Joyce Fournier, Or.
While some of these galleries do charge artists exorbitant fees to exhibit work that is of questionable quality, many such galleries would be best referred to as Exhibition Galleries, where artists who have work that is of a high calibre are invited to display their work within a specific theme. The Exhibition Gallery offers a great option to independent artists who are tired of waiting for their submissions to be accepted by traditional commercial galleries and would prefer to spend more time creating. Exhibition galleries also meet the needs of independent artists who may not enjoy doing the ART EXPO's at convention centres due to limited funds, excessive workload, etc

Joy Engleman
I am a curator at a commercial gallery as well as an artist with a long career spanning some 35 years or more. Vanity galleries do have a place in the system and are a great place for artists to showcase what they can do. We need more galleries, co-operative, vanity or commercial, regional and private, more galleries

Don Cadoret
I agree in that these galleries have a place. I would suggest though that we avoid the term "vanity" in the future and allow ourselves the honor of being involved in co-operative galleries where the marketing and potential profit is shared. If serious craft artists can do quite well in the co-operative model than why can't other artists succeed in the same environment? Of course they can! Like any business decision (of which there are many for artists), be wary of pitfalls and be willing to learn from mistakes. That's what makes Painter's Keys so valuable for all level of artists.

Silvia Forrest
I like to think about the changes in the business model we are living through as similar to what occurred in Europe when the Impressionists first organized their own show in response to the rigidity of the "Salon" system which then controlled who could and who could not exhibit and what works of art were considered acceptable.

Change is always unsettling but also unavoidable.

Those of you who are looking for venue's to show your work, heed these words and get out there any way you can.

Running as Fast as I can

Whew!!!!
My new ad came out this week.
I am excited and hope that the possibilities I perceived through getting my name out there will actually come to fruition.

It would be interesting to hear from others and their attempts on getting recognition and how it turned out for them. Sort of a networking of ideas and outcomes.

Well, guess now is just my turn to wait and see.

strangeness of planning

Last weekend I went over to Huntsville Al to participate in the Alabama Clay Conference. They had several topics that I seriously wanted to listen to.
The first was HOW TO CONNECT WITH URBAN ART PROJECTS....interconnections.
Architects, Designers, Sub Contracts and an Artist talked about how to get your work involved. It was a good meeting. I have submitted several times to Urban Art Projects and after listening to this symposium I will continue on, I am going in the right direction. More information about this in future blogs.

The second day I had to make a choice....
Photographing your art work
Web set up and design
Your Art as a Business.

Can you guess which one I selected?

Ah yes, the reason for my title strangeness of planning.
Of course I went to Art as a Business, this is the part which was the planning.
I did not realize that the entire presentation would be based on my very favorite author Alyson B.Stanfield,I found it was interesting to see the whole package in action.

I ordered the book about a year ago from Alyson "I Would Rather Be in the Studio"(you can find a link on www.pakcraig.com) and I have followed several of the helpful guidelines published there. The strangeness part was to be involved, seeing the reactions and actions of others in listening to the suggestions from the book that I have been reading; yes that part was fun.

The strangeness once again is I found I am all ready on track in solving my own problems and finding solutions. The best part of the weekend was the chance to find validation.

Right Brained?

Can a right brained individual really move over to the left side.
Being a business owner I know that I have to, no doubt about it, but it is a hard transition especially if you are wrapped in "blue".
Robt Genn of Painter's Keys talked about blue being a color that inspires creativity.
I guess I need to wear "black" when I wish to think numbers....I believe numbers in black is a good thing...at least that is much better than "red'.

So this week has been decision making points and counterpoints with the left side. I need to swing back soon, I like being right brained creative much more than left brained logical.

I have had trouble downloading my camera after taking pictures of the rings I have been making. I will work on that this evening. I do like making rings.

Two in a Row

I been very busy today at the gallery.
I brought in the new display case and set it up.
Put ceramic pieces on it and a new jewelry case and it looks good.
Now that I know this design is suitable I will be building more.
Makes the place look good, though there is more emphasis on jewelry and small items than the larger paintings right now.
I think it is a good shift at the moment, when the economy settles down the larger items I know will start moving again.
Took photos of the rings that I am putting into the gallery
Will post this evening.

Have 3 new artists who wish to sign up and join in.
Two are jewelry artists and the third is a painter.
I look forward to having them come in.

Changes

Laughing out Loud.
I see that my dedication to blogging is not a strong point.
Though I do believe that blogging is one of the newest communication ports.

So to keep with the theme of this year's political agenda of Changes....I too will be considering changes in all areas of my life.

I have all ready begun a few.
I have thousands of ideas running around in my brain and now it is time to start setting them into action.

I have taken action in my time management. Whoot...that is a surprise, me on schedule, now that is funny.
I have taken action in the gallery and have set up new schedules and new events and agendas. With the economic temperature, art is not necessarily a priority; so to keep all the artists happy and satisfied with sales, I will be putting new steps into place.
I am venturing out further in my own artistic realm, moving to a radius of 450 miles or further.(had a few pieces accepted in Atlanta, GA)
I have Incorporated a new media...jewelry...I am making rings with sterling silver and semi precious stones. Even in this economy who can resist a ring.
I set up an ad for my own work in national magazine.

So after tripping lightly through the tulips...I am off to make further changes.
My website along with the gallery website and even here on the blog pages, I will continue to update, move around, attract, delete anything and everything until people can really see the changes that are taking place.

So thanks for visiting...and staying faithful.
www.pakcraig.com
www.rivertowngallery.net