Art Blog - Art Marketing Online

I was also invited to place my art in a group show. There was a hefty fee,,,They then copied and pasted a previous press release to my bio,,,after they had another persons bio near my name.
They damaged my largest frame..and never mailed my invitation postcards to my family and friends,,,because i found them stacked up on a table,face down at the opening...They lost one of my portfolio cases,,,and noone had even tried to sell my work from what I could see...It was as bad as the awful wine,,and will never happen to me again...Ive learned my lesson. KFM

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And as time slips by more and more info on ICO Gallery appears on the internet, Vanity Gallery - Vanity Gallery - Vanity Gallery. It also seems that ICO gallery is spending more and more time snarling and threatening blog writers and the like, warning them to remove their "slander" or else. ICO!!! u r supposed to be using your time to promote the artists you have taken all that money off, instead of wasting time trying desparately to keep hidden the fact that you are a vanity gallery! Maybe it's time you realised like Agora that you r what you r and pretending otherwise is a complete waste of time and energy. You aren't fooling anyone with your intimidatory tactics and you will NEVER clear all the evidence off the web. Duuuhhh talk about egotistical!!!!!

I just visited a gallery in Chelsea that expressed interest in my work, and then when I brought the actual work, was told that by becoming a "gallery artist" there, I would be responsible to pay for my portion of the ads in major publications, and for my portion of the fee for a beautiful but costly catalogue.
This particular gallery is not known as a "vanity gallery," so I was astounded! I am amazed that galleries get away with this. These practices make it difficult for an artist who doesn't live in New York to know what to do. I am not going to take this on, feeling that this isn't worthwhile, but meanwhile this is a Chelsea gallery that has a decent reputation. I don't get this!

I also like to go to new galleries. The point is that sometimes new galleries are great and the art is presented as it should, while in other times it can be quite boring. Anyway, just from the pictures here and your description I am sorry that I haven't been at the art exhibit at the ICO Gallery in New York's premium art area of Chelsea.

Tacky? Really? Asking about figures is more to do with protecting ourselves and others, artists are often taken advantage of, I am established and treated with respect by galleries, but am dismayed and more than a little miffed when I hear stories of how the galleries that represent me have treated some of my artist friends who are attempting to the get into the industry (infact initially I was shocked at how rude they were). The only people calling it tacky to ask about fees etc are the ones whos best interests are NOT served with that information being more freely available. Keeping things quiet is only beneficial to the Skylars and the employers (on a broader level) of the world. Imagine if people talked more openly about their pay rates within respective industries, employers/business owners would be held more accountable and probably feel obliged to be as fair as possible due to the transparency of the process. Sometimes we need to remind ourselves: "I am an artist, I am also a business, I will not be taken advantage of and I have the right to negotiate and stand up for myself" all done with respect and professionalism of course!

Months after the exhibition I see this is still a very popular post and I wanted to follow up with everyone. First off Michael Durst was an absolute pleasure to work with, we couldn't be more proud of the show and look forward to having him again. Secondly, to those asking about sales figures and such I find this very tacky. No gallery will ever tell you "the numbers" so why challenge the artist? Very very rude. Third, to those of you that toss around the word Vanity so loosely you should really examine the business your in more closely. The circles who you speak of as "counting" are mostly art academics who have self published art advice books. They are in the business of pushing cheap advice and passing it off as "in the know." My family and the investors involved in this gallery have put our money where our mouth is and can offer real advice backed by real financial support for those who choose to participate in making real change in this business of art. It doesn't happen over night and it certainly isn't for the faint of heart. And btw Mr Durst did have sales here and we hope it was just the beginning!

Now 5 months later, what was the result of the show? Talk, but no weigh in - what did it cost, what was the return?

The New York City has the glitz and glammer for some and may be the corn field is best for others. I am a farm boy and kind of an earthy type of guy but that does not mean I would not want to tour Chelsea and even visit the IOC Gallery. They support the Artid so give them a big bow and hats off to the owner/managers. I have to take some things into consideration because of my brain injuries and some physiological disabilities also, therefor I have to take into consideration some of these trips and the hours..these things may bog me down to where I might not be able to paint for some time again. Okay for these people and thank you...for internet.

I don't know why artists are so up in arms about "Vanity Galleries". I did art shows for years and quit because it was so much work hauling all that stuff, driving, minding my space. It was exhausting and some days were good and some days a bust. So did I "waste" all that money? A friend of mine has been on the show circuit since May. The fees she has paid for the show spaces, hotels, and food have FAR outweighed $2500. She has no guarantee of sales or traffic. She is at the mercy of the weather and as of this past weekends show, she has not made back her expenses never mind make a profit.
Galleries that ask you to share the expenses of putting on a show for you are not horrible people, they are business people who are no longer able to spend a ton of money on an artist and get nothing back.
To stay in the public view takes money, an investment in marketing yourself. So do you want to show in a corn field in Nebraska for $100+ or do you want to show in New York for $2500.00. Either way is a choice, no one is forcing you to do either.

My understanding is that there is a hefty fee to have a show at the Ico Gallery which makes it a vanity gallery. You pay to have a show. It looks nice on your resume, you feel good about it, but it does not have much meaning really in the art circles that count. I wonder how many sales there are. The galleries make enough from artists' fees that they do not need to sell the art for commissions. How many works did Michael Durst sell?? How much did he pay for the show?

Campbell

Congrats! But I really wonder if it were free of charge. I've received an e-mail from this gallery a while agostating that they exhibit artists' work lavishly but the artists have to pay for their services..Or maybe, it was the other gallery with a very similar name. Is it a free gallery to exhibit?

Congradulations! I'm sure it's all a dream come true. Praise to our Creator who gave you the gift of being creative. Never stop dreaming, the sky is the limit!.....Gloria Pitre

CONGRATULATIONS!

Thank you for attending the opening reception for "Perceptions Of Reality" last week. We're looking forward to continued collaborations in the future!

Michael~

The exhibit was very exciting and it was thrilling to meet you and your partner Stephen! Conversing with you about your experiences with art in healthcare was fascinating and so informative. It's always refreshing to talk with an artist that has real clinical documentation on the positive effects of art imagery in a hospital setting. And I think it was genius that you were exhibiting across from an artist who had been a nurse, married to a doctor, and doing very similar things in the healthcare arena with her art.

I wish you all the luck and will be hopeful for more sales during your continued exhibit at the Ico Gallery.

Warm regards,
Carla

Dear Betsy:

Thank you so much for posting my comments and pictures on your blog!!! What you failed to mention was that Ico Gallery had contacted me after seeing my work on ArtId!

What great exposure ArtId provides and what a meaningful contribution your web site makes to artists such as myself! I will forever be indebted to you. You and your staff give selflessly of your time, effort and expertise. It was so great to meet all of you in person.

Thanks again and I look forward to seeing you and your husband soon in beautiful Cape Town, South Africa!

My very best wishes to all at ArtId.

Michael Durst

Michael & Betsy,

Thank you so much for attending, it was our absolute pleasure to have you all at the opening!