07/10/2007
Artist Co-op & Studio Barters For Nearly Anything
Gallagher Studios and Creative Center, an artist
cooperative in Ocean Shores (WA), has local artists pitching in with the
day-to-day operation of the gallery in exchange for lower commission rates,
greater promotion, and discounted supplies.
Owners Tina and Sam Gallagher say the gallery’s
co-op nature will make it easier for artists, photographers and sculptors, to do
their own promotion and prepare for shows. Their commission rates will be 20%
for volunteers and 30% for people who have no role in the gallery. Most
galleries, according to them, charge between 40% and 50%. Tina says she wants to
make money off her own paintings and not rob other artists blind with commission
fees.
Volunteer artists will also lend a hand during
the poetry readings and kid’s classes that are planned as weekly events. The
kid’s classes and book readings are Gallagher’s attempt to get children inside a
place where they’re surrounded by art, places which aren’t usually known for
being kid-friendly.However, they primarily want other artists to
use the galleries as a means of exposure that wouldn’t be available otherwise.
They have an open-door policy for artists or anyone with an interest in selling
their art.
Tina admits she may have to use a cash register
one day. But for now, the Gallaghers are more interested in bartering to
complete the gallery. “We are willing to barter for anything right now,” Sam
remarked. “This is not a cash-up-front place. If someone comes in and says that
they’d like a particular painting for their living room and don’t have much
money, but have a really great computer desk...it’ll be sold right then.”
They give credit to their landlord for getting
them started by providing carpeting and knocking out a window for more natural
light.
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