Should an artist employ a sales rep? Rancho Santa Fe Art Guild members consider…
It wasn’t easy being green for Kermit the Frog and it isn’t easy getting greenbacks through selling art, according to Rancho Santa Fe Art Guild members at the group’s winter show opening.
Guild members agreed most contemporary artists who haven’t established an enormous reputation (i.e. 99.9 percent of artists) generally establish themselves at one, or two, local galleries; or show, and sell, through an art guild or club. Otherwise, it’s not like literature or the music business where agents and reps are able to create careers, sometimes even demand.
Longtime art guild officer Cindy Klong had several pieces at the winter show, a valuable opportunity to display and publicize her efforts, she said. She also maintains online galleries and shows at other galleries.
Unfortunately, the chance to connect directly with audiences through galleries is becoming ever rarer, said Barbara Dawson, who owned galleries in La Jolla and Del Mar before returning to full-time curating and creating.
Economic conditions have caused most art collectors to pare down on purchases while rising property values have forced galleries into costly rental situations resulting in cutbacks and closures, Dawson said.
Long story short, unless you’re in the $50,000+ per piece sales category, the best way to succeed and sell, for now, is do it yourself, guild members say, which means aligning with a guild, group and gallery. Then, see if you can take it up a notch from there, fate willing and the Visigoths don’t rise.
As for the rest of the story, the new show was OK, the wine was good. They need to do a better job on appetizers and have healthy choices rather than pigs-in-a-blanket mini-hot dog cuisine. In other words, stay classy Rancho Santa Fe Art Guild.
And wait, here’s more, straight from the art guild’s mouth:
‘Impressions of the Soul’
Award winning photographer Manss Aval, as featured artist, unveils his latest collection.
Join us for a reception Thursday January 10th, 2013 from 5PM-7PM. Wine & appetizers will be served.
The show runs through March 2nd.
The gallery is located next to the Union Bank at 6004 Paseo Delicias in Rancho Santa Fe, California.
Gallery Location
6004 Paseo Delicias (Faces Avenida de Acacias) Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067
(858) 759-3545
Gallery hours
Tuesday 10:30 – 1 Wednesday – Friday 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m
Saturday 11:00-2:00 pmVisit: http://ranchosantafeartguild.org/
email: ranchoart@sbcglobal.net