My images have been on display at the local community center for a couple months. I was originally told that I would have the main room of the building and that is where I started. I stopped by yesterday and found they had moved my images to an entry hall that is 1/4 the size and now everything is hung basically on top of each other. This weekend will be the busiest of the year at the center due to a town wide Labor Day celebration. I have a couple larger images and many framed 16 x 20s. No one told me that my images were moved. I am no Ansel Adams but I have been published and have also shown in several "real" galleries. I was taken aback with the move. Do you think I have the right to be put off?
I would be upset. Without your input, someone made a major change in how your work is presented. You might feel ok about displaying in a smaller space if you had been consulted. You may have changed your exhibit to fit the space better. You may have decided to take the exhibit down. I guess I would take this opportunity to explain to the community center that they need to respect artists if they want to have art exhibits.
Pete D.
Posted by Kent Staubus on September 3, 2010 at 9:17 AM
Well, if the space was being given for free, I don't know if I'd complain or not.
Posted by Phil Pogledich on September 3, 2010 at 12:35 PM
I'd say sure, you should be upset . . . the display of one's work is very important. But that said, how you respond is another issue entirely.
Here's something that happened in my workplace about a year ago that I think offers a couple of lessons. The building where I work is a large public building with that receives a lot of foot traffic each day. For a few years, a local art cooperative of sorts has been allowed to display work by its members in the lobby and halls. The work rotates on a monthly basis, and each month features the work of just one or two members. There's no cost for exhibiting; it's a great opportunity for publicity and possible sales.
A couple of years ago, a somewhat well-known local photographer was selected to exhibit. She apparently provided all of her work to the cooperative for volunteers among its membership (many of whom are performing artists) to hang . . . probably a good 60-80 framed pieces, some quite large. She didn't help with the initial effort at all, and didn't stop by to check it out until the day before a public reception to celebrate her work.
When she finally saw the display, she apparently was appalled by the slightly haphazard nature of the overall exhibit. Some frames were hanging a bit higher or lower than others, some frame corners were not sitting against the wall, etc. I didn't think it was a big deal myself . . . it clearly wasn't perfect or museum-quality, but it wasn't all that bad. But she nonetheless took the head of the coop to task over it and, before long, the story of both her temper and fastidious nature made the rounds among its members (and some others, like me). In the end, however, all of her issues were eventually addressed and, in addition, all future exhibits were hung in a more careful manner.
I take two lessons from this. First, if your work is going to be displayed, try to do what you can to ensure it is displayed in a way that meets your preferences. Particularly if folks who may have little experience in such matters are going to be in charge. (You may have done this.) Second, if you do have concerns later on, communicate them respectfully. Again, I think this is particularly true if you're dealing with volunteers with little experience in displaying art as opposed to a gallery owner. Good things definitely came out of the local photographer's reaction to the initial display of her work, but she needlessly earned a bad reputation for herself in the process.
So in the end, I'd encourage you to raise your concerns in a very respectful way, perhaps emphasizing your appreciation for the opportunity to display in the first place. Your concerns certainly sound valid and deserve to be addressed, even if that means you're the one who does the work to address them. By communicating your concerns, you might also help improve the quality of future displays in that building. Even free exposure should be good exposure. I think the important thing is to be very professional about it.
And by the way, for what it's worth, congratulations on the display!
I'd try to learn more and then react. That type of treatment is outrageous and shows no respect or consideration. It isn't a money issue. I've had ten shows and there was never a fee. They are glad they didn't mess with me in such a fashion.
Posted by Mark Stahlke on September 3, 2010 at 6:07 PM
Donald Gorczynski wrote:
I am not being charged a fee for the space but I AM being charged a percentage for everything that is sold.
This may be the key to approaching the issue. Explain to them that if the work is displayed poorly it will sell poorly. That impacts their revenue as well as yours.
I'd agree with much of what has already been said. How your work is displayed is extremely important to its over all presentation. Of course you want it to have the best visual appearance and impact. To some extent, that is your responsibility. Whoever moved it, without consulting you, altered your presentation and its positive impact. I agree that the best practice would be to get all of the facts before reacting, but it would also seem appropriate to you politely let the person in charge of the display about the importance of getting it right. That may not be self evident to them. Best Regards.
Discussion
9 repliesThanks for your opinion.
Pete D.
Kent in SD
Here's something that happened in my workplace about a year ago that I think offers a couple of lessons. The building where I work is a large public building with that receives a lot of foot traffic each day. For a few years, a local art cooperative of sorts has been allowed to display work by its members in the lobby and halls. The work rotates on a monthly basis, and each month features the work of just one or two members. There's no cost for exhibiting; it's a great opportunity for publicity and possible sales.
A couple of years ago, a somewhat well-known local photographer was selected to exhibit. She apparently provided all of her work to the cooperative for volunteers among its membership (many of whom are performing artists) to hang . . . probably a good 60-80 framed pieces, some quite large. She didn't help with the initial effort at all, and didn't stop by to check it out until the day before a public reception to celebrate her work.
When she finally saw the display, she apparently was appalled by the slightly haphazard nature of the overall exhibit. Some frames were hanging a bit higher or lower than others, some frame corners were not sitting against the wall, etc. I didn't think it was a big deal myself . . . it clearly wasn't perfect or museum-quality, but it wasn't all that bad. But she nonetheless took the head of the coop to task over it and, before long, the story of both her temper and fastidious nature made the rounds among its members (and some others, like me). In the end, however, all of her issues were eventually addressed and, in addition, all future exhibits were hung in a more careful manner.
I take two lessons from this. First, if your work is going to be displayed, try to do what you can to ensure it is displayed in a way that meets your preferences. Particularly if folks who may have little experience in such matters are going to be in charge. (You may have done this.) Second, if you do have concerns later on, communicate them respectfully. Again, I think this is particularly true if you're dealing with volunteers with little experience in displaying art as opposed to a gallery owner. Good things definitely came out of the local photographer's reaction to the initial display of her work, but she needlessly earned a bad reputation for herself in the process.
So in the end, I'd encourage you to raise your concerns in a very respectful way, perhaps emphasizing your appreciation for the opportunity to display in the first place. Your concerns certainly sound valid and deserve to be addressed, even if that means you're the one who does the work to address them. By communicating your concerns, you might also help improve the quality of future displays in that building. Even free exposure should be good exposure. I think the important thing is to be very professional about it.
And by the way, for what it's worth, congratulations on the display!
just to add to the facts. I am not being charged a fee for the space but I AM being charged a percentage for everything that is sold.