No Commission "galleries"

[thomas_sullivan]

Went to something called 2nd Saturday in Collingswood, NJ near where

I live. It's an Art oriented night where the town's businesses (some

don't even have anything to do with the sale of Art, per say) will

host an artist.....of any type........including photography. One

place in particular, that seemed to attract some attention was a

coffee bar + music (as they dubbed themselves) had a display of a

photographer's work. I asked about how it all worked. They do not

get a commission on sales. Instead, you pay them a flat rate of $125

and are also required to acquire/purchase/distribute yourself 125

postcards promoting the event. They provide the space and overall

advertising (they usually have a photographer and musical group

there). That's about all the info I got before they had to tend to

their customers........plan on contacting them again for follow up

info....................meanwhile, I thought I'd ask you guys........

 

Is this a typical set up? Is the price and requirements typical?

Sounds like a relatively large outlay if no sales are generated. But

then, if I make a killing, it sure beats 50% commissions. I'd be

happy if I broke even to tell the truth......heh.....just the

exposure would be good.

 

anyhow, just trying to get a feel if they are in the ballpark for

what they charge compared to what they offer.

[_cire_.]

sounds like a great deal to me and releives alot of headaches from keeping track of sales and invoices and money in- money out sort of thing. on top of that, i'd like to know what they're 'following' is and how they advertise. if i was included, or highlighted, in their weekly advert in the free local arty newspaper, it's def worth it.

 

it takes six or seven well publicized shows before your name is "know" and strangers or fans will begin to show up at your shows.

[thomas_sullivan]

thanks for the "relative worth" answer cire...helps a lot

 

the event itself, 2nd Saturday, is highly advertised in the local newspapers, the free arty ones in Philly, and in the "speedline" (ie the deleware river port authority train....like PATH in NYC) free newspaper and on the walls of the stations. Collingswood itself has a reputation as an Art center.....well, for southern New Jersey anyhow.....heh....but it's heavily backed by the Mayor and "the money" in the town.

 

The venue itself has it's own website (google "grooveground collingswood nj") where the artists are mentioned, and they also said that they send out pamphlets with that weeks artists highlited, they also show up in the local papers.

 

don't know about their following in general, but that night (the first and only time i went to this 2nd saturday thing) they were definitely a big crowd draw.......all ages too.

 

There is one other coffee shop that does the same. And one other music shop that does the same. Grooveground happens to be both coffee shop and music store........so I guess that's a plus........maybe. There are actual Art stores, but they seem to cater to the painters.....and classical music vice alternative music.

[_cire_.]

Perhaps you're not aware Thomas, but ~Cire = Eric~ until Oct 01...

[joeb]

I would ask the last 4 artists how they did. It could be a great deal.

 

Here is an inexpensive Gallery for comparision:

 

The local coop gallery in my area sells $100K+ in art/year. The fees for exhibiting artists are membership in the guild $25/yr, Gallery space $25/month, 15% commission. You also have to work approximately 80 hours/year. They spend $10K in advertizing/year. They have 62 spaces in the Gallery. Wall spaces are 6'x7'.