Art Articles & Reviews

} Trading Places Two Galleries Shake It Up A Bit By Paul Constable Here's the scenario. You take an established gallery in Saskatoon, the Darrell Bell Gallery, and they invite the Susan Whitney Gallery from Regina to exhibit in their space for 2 weeks. Yes, and sell their work - a complete gallery takeover. Then in 3 weeks the Saskatoon gallery moves into the Regina gallery space in this reciprocal agreement. How many galleries would think this as a good marketing idea? Well these two are willing to try. What a refreshing idea! Two independent galleries from separate cities getting together to expand their markets in each other's cities. There is an air of self-confidence, trust and personal pride when a gallery from the other competitive city presents their artists to your market. The Susan Whitney Gallery has an exclusivity clause with each of their artists for Saskatchewan, so the artists she handles can only show in her Regina gallery. This is a huge day for the Regina gallery, as these artists can for a short time be seen in the city to the North. Now it's not all for the artist's benefit, but it is almost unheard of for galleries to get along when sales are involved, due to petty jealousies and guarded markets. Markets can shrink for artists as well as galleries when they are locked into their regional settings. It is up to the galleries to reach out to the new markets for their artists. The Internet can do some of this, but people still like to see the artists and smell the work they love to own. Susan Whitney mentioned to Darrell one day, while visiting his gallery, that she really loved the feel of the gallery space and wished she could have an opportunity to show there. In January she decided this was the year she was going to shake it up. That's where it started, the rest was to come up with a way to make it happen. The reception, invitations and the commissions are to be shared between the two galleries. Talking with Darrell Bell, he said "We each represent our own group of artists, many of which have never shown or have had representation in either of the respective cities. It's a great way to present your gallery and artists to virtually, a new market. Many of our customers really appreciate this opportunity to see some different work. Susan has an existing market and what the Darrell Bell gallery can bring to her location is potentially a new mix of professional artists. Judging by the crowd of visitors in the gallery on this Sunday afternoon, they are appreciating this opportunity to see some new artists work that they possibly would never get to see. As I mingled with a few of the artists and regular gallery goers, I sensed people were generally amazed at this occurrence. The work was great and the red dots started to appear around the gallery. A representative from the Mendel Art Gallery in Saskatoon and the MacKenzie Art Gallery from Regina each came out to this opening. Will this be talked about for years? Maybe not, but for those who came to the show, it will be remembered. Will it be a resounding success? I think from the general reaction, the first part of this venture is setting some groundbreaking territory. It's tough to come up with a unique sales idea without discounting everything on the shelf. Discounts generally hurt the artist's bottom line; the ones who can least afford it. My hat goes off to these two galleries who put their artists first and checked their personal baggage at the door. BRAVO! You may check out each of the galleries from the links below. If you are going to be in Saskatoon, you may see the Susan Whitney gallery artists at the Darrell Bell Gallery in Saskatoon March 28, 2004 through to April 10, 2004. www.darrellbellgallery.com If you are going to be in Regina, you may see the Darrell Bell Gallery artists at the Susan Whitney Gallery in Regina April 23, 2004 through to May 1, 2004. www.susanwhitneygallery.com Stay tuned for part 2 in May, as I talk with the two owners to assess their new gallery - sharing venture. _________________________________________________ Paul Constable is the Director of Artists In Canada. He is a Painter / Printmaker and Senior Graphic Designer for an Advertising and Communications company in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Paul Constable can be reached by email HERE. His paintings may be viewed at: www.ArtistsInCanada.com/pconstable. Your suggestions for future articles are welcome. _________________________________________________ © 2003 ArtistsInCanada.com