Well, I've done it. I've signed a lease on 1000 square feet of gallery in downtown Douglas, Michigan. We'll open for business in May. YIKES! Yes. It's crazy. Most galleries fold in a year or less. And, yes, I can show my work to more people on one weekend at an art fair, than I will probably reach in an entire season in my new gallery. But I'm still gonna do it. Here's why:
1. I did a test run a few years back in a gallery space on the highway outside of Saugatuck and Douglas. I kept that gallery open for one season and actually made money at it. I closed it because of the time commitment required for successfully keeping a gallery business going. I couldn't be there and at art fairs on those important summer weekends. This time I'll be hiring staff and sharing gallery duty with my wife, Marcia and other cooperating artists. I also did not like the location of this gallery.
2. I found a great space in downtown Douglas (instead of out of town on the highway), where art galleries are sprouting up like crazy. When I open in May, the LebenArt Gallery will be one of seven art galleries in Douglas, making the town a real gallery destination for art lovers.
3. I have to admit it... I am an aging art fair artist, and the rigors of doing weekend outdoor art fairs are starting to get to me. I won't stop doing art fairs, but I plan to slowly ease off and schedule less shows over the next few years until I can see adequate financial success in the gallery.
4. I hope to differentiate the LebenArt Gallery from the other six galleries in town by the artwork I'll be showing. I'm a digital artist and I've enjoyed strong sales of my limited edition prints. My work has surrealistic overtones, with fantasy and humor mixed in. I'll be looking for other artists who want to exhibit similar imagery. The gallery will be heavy on digital art and digital artists, but I will be looking for artists in other media as well... especially 3-D (sculpture, ceramics, glass).
5. I've found some local artists who will exchange gallery time for exhibit opportunities. These artists will retain 90% of sales of their own work plus get a 10% commission on any work they sell while manning the gallery. These arrangements will allow me to remain sane and have a life outside of the gallery. They will also help when both Marcia and I have to exhibit in one of the major art fairs (Milwaukee, Belleville, Cherry Creek, etc.).
So, that's it. Big changes in the works for making a living in this crazy art business. Pop me an email if you'd like to know more about my plans. jleben@lebenart.com
Comments
Yes, Vera (and John), before we opened our B&B in 1999, my son said; "it's better to try and fail than to not try at all". Great advice for us all...
Congratulations! Without risk, nothing is attained.
WOW~What a great new Adventure for you! Steve & I will have to stop by in our travels next summer! You are in a great loyal tourist trap & the best of luck to you! Kathleen & Steven
congratulations John! You have my admiration and respect.
We'll be there!
Hey Craig, Sara and Christina: I look forward to seeing you at my new gallery this summer!
Sounds exciting, John, we didn't make it to Saugatuck / Douglas this year but we'll try harder to get there next year so that we can stop by and see your gallery. It will surely be an adventure and I'm certain that everyone on AFI will want to share in the blow by blow...best of luck!
Congratulations John, please keep us posted on your progress. We spent some time with a painter who has a similar arrangement as yours in Decatur, Ga. The exhibiting artists exchange time for space. As of last year it had worked out well for him. Hopefully we will be in western Michigan for a show next summer and we can pay you a visit. All the best.