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Comment by Maria Xagorari on 1 June 2008 at 12:21pm

Some people have a very weird sense of humor.
I was invited by a New York gallery to pay so that they would review (!) my portfolio and decide whether I could become one of the privileged people who pay their 3000$ annual fee for representation.

I thought they weren't any good at telling jokes. And did not think it necessary to dribble over the Big Apple idea.

Comment by Ren on 31 May 2008 at 7:03am

well, i guess we all do at SOME point, but i would prefer that art did not involve money what-so-ever, but i know that's romantic and unrealistic so i guess the real question is: at what point do you say no?

In direct reference to would i pay to display: hmm, don't know

Comment by Bradley (aka: Oak) on 29 May 2008 at 4:33pm

HELL NO!

I do agree that if one shows their work in a professionally run gallery, then the 50% commission is the price they usually must pay. For that 50% the artist (usually) gets much support, P.R., reception, really great invitations and so on. If you pay to show your work, you end up paying for all the things I just mentioned as well as the cost for the "privilege" of showing your work at some "no name" gallery space.

I know you ask your artists to pay, Dawn. I have seen photos of your gallery and have been impressed. I think I understand why you ask the artists to pay to show their work - so you do not have to ask them to pay commissions. Maybe if you did charge commission both you and your artists would do better. There is no law that says you must charge a 50% commission. You could charge much less and still make money to pay for the show as well as for the gallery bills. Asking an artist to pay a commission is not such a bad thing. Being greedy and asking for outrageous commissions ( like 60% and above) is as bad as it is evil.

Comment by Madalena Lobao_Tello on 29 May 2008 at 4:10pm

Oh yes! I agree with everyone here. Its just not worth paying to display your work.

Comment by Purandhar Nosina on 29 May 2008 at 12:52pm

I agree with everyone here. Its just not worth paying to display your work. And its not worth either exhibiting in art galleries where they take a huge advantage of the artist and do nothing to promote thier work. I exhibited recently in one of the art galleries who charged me 40% of the commission on the sales, but did not put any effort in organising the exhibition to the expectations. I also prefer joining your local art societies who organises free exhibitions once to 4 times in a year for a small joining fee. They are relaible and genuine. Well, its a different story for those who are already recognised artists.

Comment by La'Vaughn Wright on 29 May 2008 at 12:42pm

I agree a lot of time the gallery don' t rep very well. I've been asked many times to pay to display. If my work is good in your opinion than why not commission.I'VE been self rep for awhile and doing much better.

Comment by joe kelly on 29 May 2008 at 9:47am

i agree with Joseph and Hillel, (hang on, wait for me to get my violin out....)
as artists our investment is huge already, i personally resent being asked to pay for the privilege of showing my work. I can spend a few minutes on the internet and find hundreds of free exhibiting opportunities, so handing over some over my miniscule disposable income to someone who may not even try to sell the work, simply does not compute. I have paid before and have had folks wanting to buy some pieces and the gallery didn't follow it up or let me know! I'd rather not bother and just go down the DIY route, at least that way you know you are to blame if it doesn't work.

Comment by Joseph M. Jahn on 29 May 2008 at 9:30am

No, never. I produce content, they pay, I don't.
Commission, yes. Marketing discount, yes. Pay To Display, get
some non professional artists to waist their time/money with this con.

Comment by Amy Cohen Banker on 28 May 2008 at 11:56pm

but organization memberships and notforprofit establshiments
are fun and not big bucks. i am a member of National Association of Women Artists and we do pay an annual fee
but i often do not pay for the group shows but once in a while
for a special event I will hand over fifty dollars or so if it is a good cause. It really varies but in general prefer not to pay.
But I do like to sell. most people do not really have the choice.

Comment by Linda Hoard on 28 May 2008 at 10:56pm

No.. not other than the commission on sales, and then I am careful with what I will pay for commission. If the Gallery has a known record of Corporate Clientele and really works for the artist, it is worth the 60% commission. If it is small and developing the typical 30% is fair. But, then I still have certain expectations from the gallery.
There are a lot of folks out there that are trying to take advantage of the artist wanting to get thier work shown... the vanity galleries, the coffee table "World Art" books (where you pay to be included), some artist reps.. the list goes on. If one had the readily available cash to do these things, then I personally would wonder, why not put it in to renting space (in a good area) for one month, printing up some class act brochures, use the mailing list that you've been creating, invite all gallery big wigs and have a solo show with loads of class. Just a thought... I could go on and on.. but these are my basic thoughts..
Linda

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