I just learned a great expensive lesson.Beware of 'gallery owners' that approach you and tell you wonderful things about what will happen. Always go and check out the place and make sure it is what they say. He highly exaggerated what they sell, was treated with disrespect, they used some of my equipment without my permission, left the artists alone at the booth that he was representing to sell t-shirts.....yes I said t-shirts....I have high end oil paintings and was there just to demonstrate my work only. The booth looked like a flea-market, I should of left the first day I saw the bad display that was very flea-market like. This was a 16 day event in Kentucky that I drove 2 days to attend. Needless to say after much frustration trying to speak with the guy who was always too busy name dropping, I packed up my stuff early, took all my stuff out of the gallery and went home. In my 30 years of being a professional artist, having my work in many galleries, museums, world sporting events and highly respected in my field I have never, ever been treated this badly at an event. I have heard from others that have been sending me emails that have dealt with this 'gallery' to beware and now that I made an expensive mistake I want to put out the 'Artist Beware'. I'm tired of getting ripped off and being taken advantage of. For now on, I will be visiting these places before I make any decision.
Sorry you feel that way Robert, I just haven't gotten to reading your post for I am very busy. I don't lie or spread rumars. I just state fact. I have been in this business for 30 years and have a highly respected position in this field. When I see things that are not positive for artists and getting miss-informed, I make sure other people know so that they don't get into the same position as I did. I don't monitor anything, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. And no they didn't change owners, I think there are some personal issues that are going on there. I just don't want to be around the negative.
I find it interesting that you've decided to monitor responses to this post and only allow what you want on here. With all due respect, I'm beginning to suspect there is more to the story than what you've said. Quite frankly, I'm beginning to view the completeness of your story with suspicion.
What was the event? Was it the Equestrian show? I'm surprised a the treatment you received as the gallery has a fairly good reputation and a significant presence in the Hyatt center. I've been to the gallery several times, and it does have an extensive and eclectic mix of work from high end to inexpensive trinket stuff. They've been in business for a fair number of years now, and I wonder what is going on. Have they changed owners or something? I don't dispute what happened to you, but a few more details would help.
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Okay, gotcha on that. That's too bad. The gallery has held a high reputation for many years. Sorry to hear they've gone down hill.