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consignment galleries

updated fri 4 dec 98

 

Vince Pitelka on thu 3 dec 98

>Ray Says:
>I concurr with the previous post by Joy Holdread....I also consider Clay
>Artists crossing the consignment picket line as being scabs....I am afraid
>i take a very hard line on this isssue and refuse to deal with any gallery
>that wants my work on consignment...

Craig Martell responds:
>No kidding, this is really a hard line stance!
>I'll just say that it depends on who you are dealing with. One of my best
>galleries is a consignment relationship. They sell more work for me than
>anyone, They are honest and their shop and staff are really top notch. In
>fact, they received an award as the No 1 craft gallery in the US.

I have to agree with Craig here. Once you really get to know your market,
you will find consignment galleries which are long-term businesses with
excellent reputations. I suppose much of this decision depends on what kind
of work you do. If you are committed to the kind of high-production work
where the customer builds upon their set, then you will probably want to
sell wholesale only. But if there is considerable variety in your output,
and you like it that way, then consignment accounts are ideal, for the
reasons that Craig already outlined. When I was working full-time as a
studio potter I especially appreciated my consignment accounts because they
were always willing to try new things. In other words, they were willing to
evolve as I evolved. Essentially, they had nothing to loose, and there is
something to be said for that, in that they encouraged ongoing evolution in
my work. Dealing with a bad consignment gallery can be a real drag, but
dealing with a good one can be very satisfying and lucrative.
- Vince

Vince Pitelka - vpitelka@DeKalb.net
Home 615/597-5376, work 615/597-6801, fax 615/597-6803
Appalachian Center for Crafts
Tennessee Technological University
1560 Craft Center Drive, Smithville TN 37166