How to approach galleries

[Teri Berry]

A couple of people have suggested I should start selling my work through galleries. There are a couple of very nice galleries near me that I have been tempted to approach for a long time but am chewed up with anxiety that I will screw up my "pitch" and lose any chance I had of working with them.

I am sure there are other emerging artists out there with similar anxieties / questions....

Does anyone have any advise on how to approach this? Should I ring up to make an appointment? Who should I ask to talk to and what should I expect from the meeting? Will they ask me to sign a contract?

If you own a gallery what would make you want to stock an artist's work?

If you have successfully had your work placed for sale, what approach did you take, can you offer any guidance or advice?

Many thanks in advance

[Shana]

Hi Teri, all great questions!

There are a lot of ways to go about it. First, ask yourself if your work fits stylistically in a particular gallery. If so, check their website first to see if they are accepting submissions. Often galleries get slammed with queries and those who do not follow the guidelines won't even be acknowledged.

If there is nothing on the website then ask in person what the guidelines are. Do not bring samples in with you* but do ask to set an appointment, send an email of introduction.. whatever is the appropriate response. (*Keeping samples in your car, or a dedicated album of work on your phone isn't a bad idea.)

Get comfortable with your price points and know that a gallery will take between 25%-50% of the retail price. Contracts are a GOOD thing! They cover your tush, spell out whose responsible for the work, sales, and when you get paid. There should always be an inventory list that accompanies delivery of work, too. I keep a copy and make the gallery initial the delivery so there is no question about inventory.

It's a lot to take in. Don't be afraid to ask questions, as long as you do it respectfully a good gallery will be generous and transparent about their process. Good luck!

[MTRuth]

Shana has given some really good advice.

To go a little further, do your research carefully first. If the gallery is local, go into the gallery and have a look around. Don't say anything about being an artist etc at this point. See what else they carry, whether your work would seem to fit, if they already have work similar etc. Look at their price points while you're there as well. Then go home and think about what you make that might work for that gallery. Your approach to galleries might be different depending on what they carry. Perhaps your pods would work in one place and wear-ables in another.

Do make sure you know what their guidelines for submitting work are and follow them to the letter. Look online first and then if you can't find them, call and ask. Always call and make an appointment before going into the gallery even after your work has been accepted. Be professional, have all your ducks in a row before you go in (this is what you're doing now so it's a good start) and look professional when you go in as well. And yes, you should have a consignment agreement and an inventory list.

Many galleries here have you submit work online or by e-mail. Make sure that your photographs are top notch with a plain background such as black or white, label everything carefully and send retail prices for all the photos you have sent. Most galleries want a cohesive line of work to present. Again, this depends on what you think will work in the gallery but you should have a nice selection of work that has a cohesive look. You can also mention that you make other items at the end of your submission and that other photos are available if they are interested.

I look for someone who has quality work, good photos, a professional approach and prices that I think will work with my current price mix. As a gallery, if my usual selling point is around $50 then I won't want work that is priced at $400. It is also good to have a range of price points. I will not take in work that is similar to some I already have. That is not fair to the artist whose work I already carry.

Once you've done your research and got all your information together, then make a submission. All they can say is "no" and that shouldn't hurt your feelings. You just have to go and try somewhere else. Your work is really good and I think you will find a place or several places to carry your work. Don't try to inundate your work in one area. Try to find shops/galleries that are far enough apart that they will have different customer bases.

Once you have been accepted, again, follow the instructions from the gallery closely. Provide what you say you were going to provide when you said you were going to. Follow up with the gallery on a regular basis. Find out if they want you to arrange your wares or whether they will do it. Find out if they need display items. Sometimes providing your own display items will give you a better spot in the mix of work in the gallery. Get to know the staff and have them contact you if they sell items. Then you can replace them quickly so you don't miss out on any future sales. If you don't hear from the gallery after several weeks, go in and check how it is going. If your work has been there for several months, find out if they want to swap out for different pieces or new work. If some items aren't selling well, remove them and bring in something new or more of what is selling.

OK I'll shut up now.

[Teri Berry]

Thank you Shana and Ruth - lots of excellent advice and things to think about. Please don't feel you are writing too much Ruth, everything you have said makes great sense It hadn't occurred to me to look / ask for submission guidelines or to create a picture gallery on my phone.

[luvswool and dyestuff]

Glad this topic came up, Teri, and Ruth and Shana have provided excellent guidelines for approaching galleries. All of us think at some point or another what to do with our work besides gifting and hanging on our home walls. I’m tucking this away for the future!

[Deleted]

Hello Teri,

My story on how I became associate with the Arts Place. I was at there Christmas Art Show last year where artists were selling their lovely art. I had bought a wee needle felted piece from the only artist selling wool art.. As I was buying it I mention to the sales person (also a local artist which I did not realize) and just said I also did felting.. She ask me if I did landscape feeling and I smile and said "yes" I did.. She invited me to send some photos of "My Art" to them and they would get back with me..

So by the middle of December I sent several photos of My Art and by the first part of Jan. I received a message saying they would like me to teach a " Needle felted Landscape" class. My class was in Feb. and I taught 3 classes in all for them this past year...

As a member of Arts Place and because they have already accept my art for teaching I can also sell "My Art" also in their lovely Gallery..

So this is my unusual story of how I started...

[Pandagirl]

Wonderful introspection into the gallery world, Ruth. Maybe someday...

Judy, I think your situation shows you never know where opportunities will arise. But surely, take advantage of them when they do.

[Teri Berry]

It sounds like serendipity was smiling down on you last December Judy - congratulations! It sounds like you have really landed on you feet

[luvswool and dyestuff]

Great example of being in the right place at the right time, with a wee bit of luck involved, Judy. So glad you found this opportunity.

[angela]

I have started doing workshops and community projects for the local art centre. You meet other artists that paint etc and you start making contacts.

I have been asked to do an exhibition in June next year in the main gallery in the art centre and I have set about getting local knitters interested in having an outside installation "Wild Wool" at the same time.

Just get yourself out there and it sort of snowballs.

You learn so much from this site and get to see what other people are producing.