Small "gallery", expectations?

[Stephen G]

I have recently hung photos in a semi-public place (lobby of a neighborhood gym). They run a monthly gallery rotation, with 6-8 pieces from an artist. Busy place so it gets lots of traffic.
There will be an "opening" with some food shortly as well.

I have some larger prints - 12x18" & 18x24" photos matted into larger frames.

I have a Bio up with photo and contact info. I also put out mini business cards (check out moo.com) for people to take.

After 1 day, lots of people are stopping to comment on my work..
People recognizing my photo and saying "hey is that your stuff up in the lobby", etc.
Looks like ~15 of my business cards are being taken per day as well .

I had pretty low expectations and saw this more as a way to display my work in public.
I planned on hanging at home/gifting the prints anyway after the show was over.

In addition to the gallery, my website in my bio and business cards has prints available for sale unframed.

However.. what might this to translate into in terms of sales?
I do not have any prices marked anywhere, but they are quite reasonable (I would need to sell out 1/2 the gallery just to break even on my costs).

Given the level of interest I may be seeing, what should my expectations be?
Should I be posting pricing in some manner? (Say a pricelist on the counter with my bio).
If info helps- this is in Manhattan.

 

[maxpace]

I think a price-list on the side of the photo would help, a lot of people might think that your artwork is more expensive than you'e priced it and otherwise would not bother to ask.

 

[maxpace]

BTW, where is it in Manhattan?

 

[Stephen G]

I kind of wondered if that might be an issue - people wouldn't contact me, assuming prices are 3x higher than what I am actually charging.
I think I will add prices to the little document with my bio I have posted.
Interesting another thing I noticed was that people are actually taking copies of the bio I had printed out.. Didn't really expect that, just left a few extra copies I had on the counter.

Located in UWS, near 96th st. Paris Health Club.

 

[patois]

I wouldn't expect to make a lot of money directly from the show but I'd make sure that business cards are available along with a price list so that people who like your work can contact you. They may want to hire you for other photographic services.

 

[Proteus617]

Stephan- I recently had a show in a local bar. I made enough to cover expenses with cash for a box of paper left over. The bar is in a working class neighborhood in Baltimore where a draft of good beer is $4. My prints were $125. You are in Manhattan, so I worked out a ratio. $YP=the price you should charge for your prints and $MP=the price of a pint of micro-brew in your neighborhood. So...$YP=($MB*175)/4.

 

[tapesonthefloor]

But what about a café?? WHAT ABOUT A CAFÉ!!!??!!11

 

[Neare]

Sounds like you're doing really well! I would hope that you do break even. However, whenever I put on a small exhibition or contribute - I always consider it an expense. I never bank on getting my money back, if I do then that makes my day. But exhibitions I see more as a mean to get your name known and show your work off.

But yeah, price list helps - though make it discrete.

 

[shadowfox]

Congratulations!
I think you're doing well. Don't expect anything other than public exposure, keep your card well-stocked and get your website/blog/gallery ready for visitors.

 

[tlitody]

I have an artist friend who just held an exhibition of his work. Sales were low BUT one person who visted runs 30 galleries across the UK and wants him to do a particular style of painting similar to what was on show. They will be exhibited across the country and in a top London Gallery. Its not what you sell at any one show but rather who wants to represent you and generated follow up work that is the real benefit of most shows. Only downside is that the gallery will take 70% but then the prices will be a lot higher than he was charging before and he won't have to spend any time on marketing except turning up to openings. i.e. He gets to spend time painting instead of marketing and putting on shows.

 

[sper]

Post a price list, expect nothing. Be surprised when someone graces you with a purchase.

I've never sold a single print. 🙁

Link us to your online gallery!

 

[Stephen G]

Thanks all.
Was a brief 2 week show in July filling in between other shows.
But I am now back for 2 months!
www.stephengomes.com

A mix of B&W, Color.. Rome & NYC.. Matted & Framed... and decided to try a FotoFlot

 

[Dwayneb9584]

Hey would you mind sharing the name of this location. I'm always looking for places that are artist friendly for doing a small gallery opening.

 

[jordanstarr]

If you don't have a price on your photos, it's unlikely you'll sell anything. People will either assume they are not for sale or wouldn't even know where ballpark an expected price. For various reasons, people are also reluctant to make first contact or hunt you down unless they know they can afford a piece. I wouldn't contact an artist for a price on a piece I liked and would maybe purchase because I wouldn't want them to play the role of a car salesman and try to talk up their art to sell. I've only had one customer relentlessly track me down to my place of employment to buy a photograph they saw on the news of a gallery I had my work at (but not for sale). Moments like that are few and far between.

 

[Darshan]

www.stephengomes.com

I like your work. Good luck.