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Gallery versus Booth/Show

Posted by Pete Palagonia on September 13, 2010 at 8:08pm in Business of Art Fairs


Heres another question where no hard answer is applicable but different points of view are more than welcome.

Heres the scenario...

Theres a gallery on a corner thats one of the best in town. You have a fairly expensive  painting in it. We'll say its $4000 and 40x40.  Anyway, wouldnt you know it?  You painted a copy in your booth too. 

So there you are, a well received art show thats been going on for years and a gallery of the same history and success on the same street.  The subject matter is just what the town is about too.

Barring the gallery owner throwing your art at you,  which painting would likely have a better chance of selling first?

;)

Thanks folks!!!

Pete

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Replies

  • Terri P. Keller September 29, 2010 at 2:40pm
    I sell both in galleries and at outdoor shows. In my opinion the show piece would prob sell before the gallery piece would cause it's getting more exposure. I sell 80% more in the o/d shows than galleries. And, I love, love, love interacting with the customers....something you don't get to do when your work is hanging at a gallery.
    • Pete Palagonia > Terri P. Keller September 29, 2010 at 6:55pm
      Hi Terri,

      Thanks for the reply. My feelings were that was how it was but Im one person. The pulse of it from knocking elbows supports your claims. The interaction is very important and fun. I think as artists, the immediate feedback is spiritually cathartic sale or not. I recall in artschool [what little i did] the teacher saying that art was about making our experiences and feelings realised even in the physical sense. Id go one step further and say we are all communicators. So the interaction is important to me too.

      Ive never held with the " I paint for myself" exclusively. Ultimately it is meant to be seen and realised by others as well.

      Wow Terri - sorry for the long winded reply - I just got home from work, ate and now Im letting go.

      Thanks for your thoughts!!!

      Pete
  • Chris Hoyt September 14, 2010 at 6:40am
    My personal opinion is that you don't have the same work at both locations. Just from your post you realize the gallery owner could get upset, and why get a viable outlet angry? I just wouldn't have the same painting at both locations.
    • Pete Palagonia > Chris Hoyt September 16, 2010 at 7:42pm
      Hi Phil,

      The 50 to 60% cut is a killer for me. Fifty percent is my last hold out. One percent or more past that mark and its something Im not playing ball with. Its just a core belief about where I draw the line. You make solid points.

      Pete
      • Michael Peychich > Pete Palagonia September 16, 2010 at 10:26pm
        With the gallery you may pay a high % in commissions but you are not spending your time sitting and waiting to sell it. I do not mind paying someone else to sell my work. Which venue would sell art faster? I believe it would be in the art fair on the street.
    • Pete Palagonia > Chris Hoyt September 14, 2010 at 10:17pm
      Never post a reply without first reading the post correctly. Its just plain stupid.

      It was obviously a hypothetical situation drawn up to ask which was prefered by the general posting audience. No I dont paint duplicates of my paintings. No, I dont set them out on the sidewalk in front of my local gallery.

      Wow. Simply wow.

      Pete
      But thanks for your candor.
      • Linnea Lahlum > Pete Palagonia September 17, 2010 at 9:10pm
        "Its just plain stupid."

        You are really trying to discourage replies, aren't you? A tad harsh to people who were honestly trying to help you, even if they misunderstood the question. In re-reading your original post, it's not that obvious, even if YOU knew it was hypothetical. At the very least, it is ungracious.
        • Munks > Linnea Lahlum September 17, 2010 at 9:39pm
          Linnea he was just . . . Oh nevermind.
          • Pete Palagonia > Munks September 18, 2010 at 12:12pm
            My apologies. I didnt appreciate the incorporation of the word "stupid" to a hypothetical query I made. By reflecting the same sentiments back to the original poster, well - thats never a productive road either.

            Ill be careful to be clearer in the future about my stated intents and if applicable, "hypotheticals".

            Much love to all - Holly too.

            Pete
    • Pete Palagonia > Chris Hoyt September 14, 2010 at 7:32am
      It was meant as a hypothetical. I also dont do duplicates of my paintings. You missed the point.

      Pete
This reply was deleted.