Connie,
I was just reading about the Orchard Lake St. Marys Show. We also were involved
with John LaCroix, and lost money. We were in his art gallery in Auburn Hills,MI.
When first going into his store many promises were made to my husband and myself. My husband
and I were promised a spot in the front of the store, we delivered and hung our designs in the place where we were promised (which took us hours to hang). Within one week our designs had all been
moved and we were scattered everywhere. I repeatedly asked him how to move our work, and he
alway said "no problem". Yes, it was moved to a worse spot. This happened to not only us,
but many other of my artist friends. They have also pulled out of his store. When going to
pick up our pieces we each found our work piled up in a heap, he also pulled all of our price tags off. The price tags were also our inventory tags, so there was no way to inventory our pieces. We just received our last check yesterday and we know that we have been shorted for at least 3
pieces, maybe more. There is no way to tell for sure. A friend of mine also lost money with
the Orchard Lake Art Show, she wasn't even told it was cancelled. I hope everyone gets
together and figures out a way to get there $$$ back from him. I am just glad to be out of
that store and not losing any more money. - Good Luck - Sue C
Replies
Susan, I was curious as to what are the two galleries in Michigan that you deal with, that you could recommend. I spend a lot of time in the Detroit Metro Area and would like to know which ones you are talking about. After my Florida trip, I will be spending a week with my brother and his family and would like to go to these galleries if for no other reason than the fact that I like to go to galleries.
Btw, that sound you heard was me asking you this in the private chat function that one can access at the bottom of the front page of AFI.
Calie, Calie, Calie... sigh
I just read Monks latest post and I thought he was being a real friend by giving you really good advice and you took it as negative criticism. I basically said the same thing when I said to cut your losses. I've been burned so many times, I can't tell you about them all. Be very careful when dealing with people and protect yourself. Be a little skeptical when dealing with business owners. Network with your friends in the business to see which gallery owners you can trust and go by your instincts. I think Munks was exaggerating when he said that all galleries are struggling. There are plenty that are doing well and pay on time. However, even galleries that are doing well, will take care of themselves first and then pay the artists last, when things get tough. That has been my experience.
I consulted with a gallery for over 10 years. I created a database of artists and patrons and kept good track of what sold and what didn't. I was in charge of inventory and bought work, at wholesale at the trade shows. Having the proper inventory is critical for a galleries success. I know what sells and doesn't sell in a gallery. I can go into a store and predict with relative certainty if that gallery will make it or fail based on how much of each medium is on display. And, like I said before, be very careful. I have only had 1 or 2 consignment galleries operate properly.
Here's another tip: Do not make emotional decisions when it comes to selling your work. I think that was one of the things Munks was trying to get across. Btw, isn't Great Lakes Crossing a discount mall? Why would anyone want to sell in a discount mall? Try getting into Somerset or something like that.
Barry,
Its they way Munks keeps coming at me. The other gallery I was in was very good for us, it was just I could not work the hours. You are giving me advise and it comes off that way. He spent the day insulting my intelligence and where I come from. So I bit back.
You also have to understand I would not have even put this out there, except my mom told me to look up the Orchard Lake show; she wanted to know the date of it, and I found that Artist Beware, and could not believe what I was reading. We are still dealing with this man and it is a completely redicoulous situation. I simply want people to know to beware of him. I am not looking for sympathy, not even close.
I really did not want to say anything, my mom has been on my rear end she wants to enialate him. I sent my uncle with her last weekend to get our check and the rest of our display probably more to protect him than her. My first instict was just to let it go that is really the way I am, unless overly provocted or backed into a corner.
I wasn't rasied to take crap from anyone, not in my proffesional or personal life.
Yes I will admit I do keep my work very close to my heart its just who I am. And in all honesty where my work comes from. If I didn't have a true passion for what I do, I would not do it. But my decision to leave one mall and go to the other was not emotional it seemed like a good solution to the situation, and like I said I was not the only person to go there several of my friends where there too, some where in the other store and some not.
My work does actually sell well in both retail and fair situations. I've been on vacation and sold pieces right off my neck - not kidding. So when we where in a retail situations women that knew the area would definately come into the store with what they just bought so they could match their outfit, to get accessories that where unique.
Yes Great Lakes is somewhat of a discount mall, not all of the stores are discount/outlet stores. That part I didn't think about, simply because I don't shop there very often. I really do shop at the other mall all the time.
Everyone have a good day, I'm busy today I really really just want people in our area to know to be careful if not stay away from this man. This is the kind of garbage that make life difficult for all of us. Lets face it there is an entire generation that can't see past the lables on their butts and don't get that you can get truley wonderful things for yourself and your home at artfairs and galleries that are different and not cookie cutter copies of what all their friends have. And someone that will lie, cheat & steal is out there and will give us all a bad name.
Calie
PS my husband would have heart failure if I had a reason to go to Sommerset very often, he would tell you that just costs him way way too much money.
Calie,
I think it would feel good telling people that you sold pieces at a gallery in Somerset. When they first built the other side I wrote a 100 page business plan trying to get a space in there. They liked our plan and we were negotiating for a space. The problem was that we couldn't raise the $250,000 needed to do the build out and buy the work. So, we had to pass. They found another tenant and there was a gallery in there for 5 years. Sadly, they went out of business. Maybe we were lucky not to go in there.
It was a good thing that you posted your warning. This is one of the important functions of AFI. It's a good thing to post warnings of unscrupulous businesses. That's how we all know to stay away from those people. Patty Narozny is still fuming about them hijacking her show name. Some people thought it was her.
I think one has to separate ones work, which you should be passionate about and the business of selling your work which is just business. There are many people out there that will take your money if you let them. It could be worse. You could have invested your life savings with Bernie Madoff.
I can respect what you are saying.
I would love to be able to say that we are in Sommerset, but like I said hubby would not be. I am a great shopper and that mall makes him nervous. All kidding aside I just want to be at art fair. And Patty should be mad, we are still mad. I don't want my name associated with him.
Have a good day.
Calie
Huh? nvm.
Look, galleries are and should be looked at as retail establishments, not not-for-profit socialist enterprises. Unless the owner is taking the risk financially, this is what you can expect. Most 2D is by consignment and most art/craft galleries purchase at wholesale. In 30 years I have had only 1 or 2 consignment galleries operate on the up and up. My favorite line I like hearing is "Oh, we just sold that piece, yesterday" when I've come in to check on my inventory. One consignment gallery actually had in their contract that they were not responsible for any damage while the work was in their store except for "normal wear and tear." What in the hell did that mean? When you go back to take your work out of some place, just show up with your inventory sheet. There are exceptions but don't tell them you are coming and try to settle up right then. Be prepared to not get paid if they aren't willing to pay for work sold and look at it like you are cutting your losses. Look at is as a learning experience.
The "Orchard Lake Show" name was hijacked by this guy and not to be confused with the original Hot Works show with the same name that was developed by Patty. Hot Works really cares about the artists and does what it can for the artists. I saw that Patty is using the name again, even though the show has moved a couple miles south on Orchard Lake. That show has an excellent client base and has the potential to be a powerhouse show.
Thanks Barry, me and my friends are just trying to get the word out, like I had stated the other situation was just not working out because of schedule, trust me we left good money at the other location and the feed back from a different client base in a mall retail envirnment was really kind of nice. And lets face it in this economy you have to try to think out of the box.
We've done Patty's show before and what made me respond was that post I could not believe that he could do something like that, call me gullable, but I like to think the best of people not the worst.
And like I said from past experience at the other mall location holiday time is what all the retailers wait for, so to pull out in early November like my insticts told me to but my business head was telling me are you crazy you put too much time and money into it. So live and learn, however if just one person sees this and learns from my hard leason that was all I was trying to get out there.
Trust me I'm not the only one in this situation with this man and so far I'm one of the lucky ones that has gotten paid, well a check anyway.
I'm sticking with the fairs thats where my heart is anyway.
Calie
Calie,
This is not a criticism, but, a plea: Please put your commas, and periods in their correct places. It's hard to understand what you are saying because of the run on sentences, etc. I realize you are really mad and are typing as fast as possible. I do the same thing when I feel strongly about something. Nevertheless, it's hard to follow what you are saying.
Btw, Munks can be somewhat cryptic, but, his advice, when you read between the lines, is rock solid. And, he is a great guy.
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