Gallery Talk

Our model didn’t show up for the model study class, so we took an opportunity to discuss how to keep a small co-op gallery going in this economy.

A co-op gallery is run by a group of artists who each purchase a membership, then pay quarterly dues in order to show. Members have certain duties as well, including “sitting” in the gallery during posted business hours.

Sounds like a model for co-operative business especially for artists who are all willing to help each other, but even in the best of times art is difficult to sell. The challenge to the gallery doesn’t only come from a decrease in purchases, but also from a decrease in membership and in members reducing time spent on gallery activities.

Guess we’ll have to see.