On December 24, 2005, Grace Glueck wrote an article for The New York Times entitled Old Business, New Name: Behold the Gallerist. Ms Glueck describes "A gallerist is directly involved with the care and feeding of artists, rather than with the quick turnover of art objects." Ms. Glueck's article includes a quote by Barbara Gladstone, "a gallery owner of long standing who likes the word, said: 'A dealer is someone who buys and sells paintings, but doesn't deal with artists. Gallerists represent artists. It's a completely different activity.'" Indeed.
A gallerist? Well I don't know, but I do know that I am concerned with assisting artists in promoting themselves. I've been a gallery manager but don't hold that position for any establishment at present. It is my opinion that galleries are concerned with art, but mainly involved with promoting their gallery not the artist. An art gallery is after all a business in the business of making money and we all have our business to attend to.
I believe in customer service and in providing thoughtful, honest, and personalized attention to each of my clients. I suppose this attitude makes me a bit different in the art world. As a gallery manager I always greeted people who came through the door, showed them where they could find extra materials and told them if they had questions to please ask. This is just my style, and I felt it was my job to be available to SELL ART!
In as much as I feel it is important to provide quality customer service and support to my own clients, I believe it is equally important to be honest and give suggestions and consultation to the best of my ability. Sometimes this means that my clients and I have different opinions on what is saleable, the better marketing plan, or the best design. The artist may have a favorite painting but that doesn't mean it's going to be the one that sells or captures attention.
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