Thursday, February 07, 2008

Bad things galleries do to artists

Unethical galleries will take in a piece of artwork by an artist, and when the price is discussed, the gallery says: "What's the price?" and the artist says: "$1000" The gallery nods OK and the artist leaves, knowing that if sold, he'll get $500 (most commercial galleries charge 50% commission -- in NYC some are as high as 70%). The gallery then sells the piece, but for $2,000, sends the artist a check for $500 and pockets the extra $1,000. That is why artists should insist on having a contract with a gallery, and the contract must specifically address that the artist will get 50% of the actual sale price.

Bad things artists to do galleries

A reputable gallery gives an artist a show, and goes through all the various expenses associated with doing so (rent, electricity, staff salaries, publicity, ads, post cards, opening reception catering, etc.) So far the gallery has put forth a considerable investment in presenting the artist's works. An interested novice collector meets the artist at the opening and expresses interest (to the artist) in buying some of his artwork. The artist, wishing to stiff the gallery for their commission says: "See me after the show and I'll sell it to you directly and save myself the gallery commission." This is not only unethical, but it's also guaranteed to ruin the artist's reputation in the city, as these things always come out in the wash, and soon no gallery will exhibit any work by this artist.

What's Your Problem?

I really, really like this new series of articles at the Washington City Paper by Amanda Hess titled What's Your Problem?

Lisa Brotman Interview

Bethesda Art Blog has a really good interview with artist Lisa Brotman.

Read it here.

Tomorrow in Bethesda

Tomorrow, Friday, February 8th, is the second Friday of the month and thus it's the Bethesda Art Walk with 13 participating art venues and with free guided tours.

Don't miss "Closer" at Gallery Neptune, and always a great photography show is the VII Annual Photography Competition at Fraser Gallery.


M. Queensberg by William Atkins
M. Queensberg by William Atkins at Fraser Gallery

From 6-9PM - go see some artwork!

Wanna go to a DC opening and wine tasting this Saturday Friday?

Touchstone Gallery in the District has been an artist-owned gallery since 1976, which in gallery years is several centuries.

This Friday they're hosting an opening for their "10th Annual All-Media National Exhibition," juried by well-know DC area curator and often an advisor to the DC Commission of the Arts and Humanities, Vivienne M. Lassman.

The opening also features a wine tasting courtesy of the Washington Wine Academy. The opening is from 6-8:30PM and the show goes through March 8, 2008.

Wanna go to a DC opening on Saturday?

The Capitol Hill Art League (CHAL) will open “Fascinating Rhythm,” Saturday, February 9, 2008, 5-7 PM at the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, 545 7th Street SE. The show continues through February 29th.

The juror for “Fascinating Rhythm” is David C. Levy, who was the President and Director of the Corcoran Gallery of Art and its College of Art and Design from 1991 to 2005.

Wanna go to a Baltimore opening this Saturday?

Light Street Gallery in Baltimore presents "Panoramic Photography from Around the World," a group show featuring the winning photographs of The Third Annual Juried Competition of the International Association of Panoramic Photographers.

Opening reception Saturday, February 9th, 2 - 6 PM. The Competition drew entries from forty one panoramic photographers from seven countries and The United States, Australia, England, Belgium, Poland, Spain and Germany. Through March 29th, 2008.