Thread: Art gallery in my studio!?! Thoughts?

So did you talk to the coffee shop? How did that go?

Not yet. Probably in the next 3 weeks or so, though!

Originally Posted by Lauren_

I believe I've solved the $500+ gallery hanging system problem.

YouTube - Hercules Hooks

My husband usually is exhibiting his art outside and he has to come up with his own display system. He uses easels (both tabletop and full-length) plus a grid system with hooks. It works! And with walls to work with, it's even better!

Deborah

We used to own an art gallery and my advice is go for it as long as you aren't expecting to make any money from it.

Good idea on working with the cafe. I've had performer friends participate in art walk type events. Different galleries, studios and cafes in the same area would coordinate to have openings on the same night, the cafes would run specials, and they'd get people to perform outside (belly dancers, hoopers, fire dancers, etc.) It kept the flow of people moving around the whole area.

For openings you may be able to get around liquor licenses if drinks are given away. In our area that's okay for beer and wine, and you can apply for one time licenses for events.

In this economy every small business needs to be able to figure out every way to make the most of what they have. Here's another idea - if you have a decent floor check your local partner dance scene and see if they want to have events. We were in touch with the local tango scene and they hosted a dance party (milonga) at our cafe once a month. We'd move the tables around, get a license to serve wine, also sell non alcoholic beverages, and they'd take care of the music. Just make sure people are using non-marking dance shoes in the studio. You can rent the space and/or get a cut of the door fee.

Originally Posted by indigostars

Even though she is family and it sounds like you have a great relationship, I'd make sure everything is well-documented legally. Whenever there's money involved with people I care about and me, I make sure everything is as clear as possible. I don't want to have falling outs.

The only bad thing I can think of otherwise is that the dance studio and yoga studio I attend both have no shoe policies, to keep pebbles and such off the floor. If you have that policy for your studio, it may be hard to enforce if they're having gallery only events.

I definitely agree that there will need to be a basic contract enabled here. I'm the daughter and I've been reading a fantastic book recently called "How to Survive and Prosper as an Artist" which goes into great detail about operating with gallery owners and showing on your own. We haven't gotten to talking about it because it's all in fun right now, with the painting of the walls and the installing of the floor. But thanks for pointing that out! We'll be sure to be safe about it just in case of any "oops!"

Also - the studio is laid out so when you first walk in the door (front or back) there is carpet which catches up a great deal of any of the nasty brought in from the outdoors. The floor we have in mind can take the impact of clacky heals and a few rocks. It looks sound :)

Originally Posted by jewelbellydance

Yay! Woo hoo! I think it sounds perfect.

One extra consideration - would you need to meet any licencing/food handling requirements in order to serve up champers and nibblies at openings?

As for clean floors - hey, it'd be kinda fun to have to remove shoes and use a pair of funky slippers (provided by you).

That's a really awesome idea!!!! Hobby Lobby sells flip flops cheep i think and we could get some extra pieces of fabric and tie them crazy-like around the straps. No telling how many people could possibly show up though, and I think we're trying to keep costs low, but I REALLY like that idea!!!

I don't think we need to meet any food handling requirements or any liquor requirements. We plan on putting in the contract that those who use the space for gallery openings must take all responsibility for food and alcohol incidents.

Will that work? those of you who've owned galleries before?

Originally Posted by Freddie

We used to own an art gallery and my advice is go for it as long as you aren't expecting to make any money from it.

LOL! I'm not. Well, I hope to eventually break even with the costs of putting in the lighting, etc. and of course the studio needs any income it can get. We'll be running it as a for-profit venture, but it doesn't actually have to cover any costs.

If I get free rotating artwork, free publicity for the studio, and a chance to give a leg up to artists who deserve it, then it's a huge success.

this sounds like an awesome idea :)
have u thought about having performances during some of the art showings? i've performed at an art gallery before and it attracted people in :)
(sorry if this has come up before, didn't read all of the responses)

Originally Posted by Lauren_

LOL! I'm not. Well, I hope to eventually break even with the costs of putting in the lighting, etc. and of course the studio needs any income it can get. We'll be running it as a for-profit venture, but it doesn't actually have to cover any costs.

If I get free rotating artwork, free publicity for the studio, and a chance to give a leg up to artists who deserve it, then it's a huge success.

We found that a good way to get people in was to sell greetings cards ... cos even if card buyers don't buy art, they'll look at the art and it will give you a chance to find out what they like and why, and publicise the artists.

Great idea !!!!
Once we had a bellydance show, and at the fuage of the theatre we had also a gallery event, went great !!!

Go for it !!!

kisses from Greece ,r:;

I just hung up 8 small paintings in the yoga/dance studio where I take dance classes, and I wanted to brag a little bit! (Other than the mural, it's been a while since I've had art on display outside of my apartment or classroom!) It really makes the space feel a little bit more at home and added a lot of color to the white walls.

Originally Posted by Karnak

I just hung up 8 small paintings in the yoga/dance studio where I take dance classes, and I wanted to brag a little bit! (Other than the mural, it's been a while since I've had art on display outside of my apartment or classroom!) It really makes the space feel a little bit more at home and added a lot of color to the white walls.

It is AMAZING what it can do for your environment isn't it? Is it your work that you've hung?

What news on the gallery/studio front, Lauren??

Originally Posted by Freddie

It is AMAZING what it can do for your environment isn't it? Is it your work that you've hung?

What news on the gallery/studio front, Lauren??

No news at the moment, everything is on hold because our big annual student recital is three weeks away! yikes.

After that I hope to move quickly.