1. I might be wrong, but a few years ago didn't some galleries get in trouble with the Better Buisness Bureau for refusing to release their prices?

Posted at 6:00AM on Dec 19th 2005 by Nick

2. Too true, the same can be said of some auction houses, estate agents, restaurants, hairdressers, hotels and chic shops. Manners...?

Posted at 6:00AM on Dec 19th 2005 by Zen

3. I am shocked at not only the rudeness of many gallery attendants, but the incompetance. Many times I inquire about a piece and the person has no idea what the work is about and often times when I suggest an interpretation, it is categorically dismissed. Outrageous! What kind of salesperson disagrees with a potential customer?

-Perry

Posted at 6:00AM on Dec 19th 2005 by Perry Garvin

4. While I am guilty of treating art galleries as a form of cheap entertainment, their function as a place of commerce is often puzzling to me. I mean, why do dealers even bother? How frequently does a piece get sold because someone strolled in and said "I'll take that one. It'll look great over the love seat in the living room, don't you think, darling?" Art purchases, particularly of any expense, I assume would be considered purchases, requiring a good amount of comparison shopping and consideration, like buying a car. Or perhaps that's only what poor guys like me think. If I had the cash, I supposed I'd be snapping up Misrachs and Burtynskys at the drop of a hat.

Posted at 6:00AM on Dec 19th 2005 by Todd W.

5. "I mean, why do dealers even bother? How frequently does a piece get sold because someone strolled in and said "I'll take that one. It'll look great over the love seat in the living room, don't you think, darling?" Art purchases, particularly of any expense, I assume would be considered purchases, requiring a good amount of comparison shopping and consideration, like buying a car. Or perhaps that's only what poor guys like me think. If I had the cash, I supposed I'd be snapping up Misrachs and Burtynskys at the drop of a hat."

As collector, I can answer your question - (a) galleries educate future art buyers, (b) some gallerists enjoy speaking to people - yes, it's true. just this week, I stopped by the River North art district in Chicago and had some wonderful conversations with people. (c) sometimes you never realize you can actually afford a peice until you walk into a gallery. I never expect to fulfill my fantasy of owning a Robert Ryman, but last year I saw in a gallery a painting I saw featured in a two national magazine by a younger artist. Had I never gone to the gallery, I would never have realized that I could afford the peice. (d) publicity - even if the gallerist hates walk in customers, the buzz they generate increases the market value of the art work.

Posted at 6:00AM on Dec 19th 2005 by FGR

6. Just found this site and reading the comments reminds me of a situation i experienced years ago when interviewing at a school in chicago.
A friend and i who are artists walked into a gallery on Mich Ave. one january to look at some things and the 'salesman' was short with us and followed us around
the whole time. A bit unnerved i tried to make some small talk about a Durer and again he was short. Ultimatly he followed us to the door with nothing said.
His body language suggested we did'nt really belong in the gallery. My friend and i discussed how odd this was . Maybe they need a sign in the window stating that if you don't make at least six figures, your not welcome. Even if i could i would never buy a thing from them.
I wonder when selling art this way went in this direction? Where does this
arrogance come from and why do some think is it necessary? I have known quite a few gallery owners who are cordial and welcomming. I am an artist but also work in health care and when i see this behavior i think it's a joke and very sad. I dont' know any artists who behave this way and i dont' treat people who come into our clinic this way. Things like that set me off.
I would also like to say that he was suck a jerk, when we left we felt like waiting for him to get off work and make his face look like a picasso..
but we did'nt..

Posted at 6:00AM on Dec 19th 2005 by Bryan Grose

7. I hate people who cloak their insecurity behind a veil of exclusivity...it's sooooo pretentious!

Posted at 6:00AM on Dec 19th 2005 by Darcy Paterson

8. Speaking as an artist I am appalled at the power we artists turn over to these people. We seem to have forgotten that WE are paying the gallery a major commission to represent us. That means discussing our work with interested clients or potential clients and actually selling the work from time to time. We artists seem to adopt the view that we are somehow lesser and must suck up to a gallery to sell our work. The gallery treats artists like buses...there will be another one along in ten minutes. Believe me if an artist feels that they are treated this way they should MOVE ON to a gallery that appreciates artists. After all, how many businesses do you know where someone can start up with full inventory (on consignment) AT NO COST. Lets make them earn it that little perk. KM

Posted at 6:00AM on Dec 19th 2005 by Kay McLean

9. Too true, the same can be said of some auction houses, estate agents, restaurants, hairdressers, hotels and chic shops. Manners...?

Posted at 6:00AM on Dec 19th 2005 by Domai

10. Speaking as an artist and as someone who has worked for a gallery:

I check out galleries all the time and I am amazed at the poor treatment I get too often. My belief is you should treat each person as a potential buyer and as an equal. Personally, I never forget who and where I get bad service from and although I am not buying now, you can bet I will go somewhere else to buy art if someone is rude to me.

Here is the plain truth. Although we are passionate about art as artists and collectors, it is only a product. I would often get shot down in art school by my instructors for just wanting to create beautiful objects instead of something based on a lofty idea. Formal vs. Conceptual.

Most people are intimidated by art because it is shrouded in this sacred hi art ambiance. They think that they are not sophisticated enough to enjoy art and galleries help propel this problem by selectively discussing their art with the "in crowd".

Another facet to the problem is that galleries often hire art school chumps that are more interested in telling others that they work at a gallery instead of making sales. Here's a tip to galleries: Hire people that are equally or more interested in business than art.

I read in art calander that about 5% of the world only steps into an art gallery once. Instead of complaining about how bad the economy is, why don't you start trying to raise that 5% higher and make art more accessable to everyone, even farmer Ted.

For several reasons, as an artist I am going to do everything I can to avoid working with galleries. The system is flawed. How many businesses work on the consignment system? O.k, gallery overhead, show promotions, yada yada. Maybe if they sold art and not just show it, they could buy it outright like any other product. Wait, you want me to give you my product that required my time and money so you can discuss it with your "in crowd" or just keep it in storage for that maybe moment. Come on gallery owners, you know you keep heaps of art in the back that probably won't see the light of day. Meanwhile the artist receives nothing and the art is as good as dirt.

Also, why would I want rude people representing me. I am much more interested in people like Farmer Ted owning my art because he is the salt of the earth, like me. If a gallery shuns him, how will he purchase my work, but more importantly why?

Will I work with galleries. Yes. Only if they want to make money, because that is what I am mostly interested in. Making money, paying bills, and doing what I love.

Posted at 6:00AM on Dec 19th 2005 by Matt Mikulla

11. They must be French.

Posted at 6:00AM on Dec 19th 2005 by Harry Scrotum

12. Yep Harry they are French

Posted at 6:00AM on Dec 19th 2005 by Lista Wildsteina