Gallery 202, Partners in Art, Inc
PO Box 1545, Westerville, Ohio 43086 .

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Mission Statement

Gallery 202, Partners in Art, Inc. specializes in community art programs for all ages and encourages the interaction between Artists, Patrons and Businesses.

Tips on how to be a successful gallery artist

Studio Artist Space/Shared Gallery Space

Gallery 202 Member Benefits

Framing Tips

Exhibits Tips

Tips for a successful Gallery 202
(or any Gallery) Experience

Choose your gallery carefully (any gallery, even Gallery 202).   But not just for the sales record but for the location, the staff and the opportunities.   If you are uncomfortable, find out why and see what can be done.  For profits and non-profits are different animals and have different requirements.  So don’t complain! Ask us about any concerns and let’s see what can be done. 

Help your hometown gallery.  If your community supports the art, there is an increase in possible free advertisement, more patrons and less gas to drive to your “gallery”.

Support your gallery by telling everyone that you have artwork at the gallery, put it in your website, list it at the end of your signature for every email.  Admit to your co-workers that you are an artist.

Since events often are the best time to sell, help out with special events in your gallery even if your art is not the featured art.  Support your fellow artists but also tell your own story.

Be a part of a special donation program such as donating books for resale or inkjet cartridges. Donate necessities from toilet paper to light bulbs.  It helps to keep costs down. Every little bit counts!  But big stuff is great too – copier, computers, light fixtures and occasionally a new bubble machine!

Pricing art – Everyone deserves to get top dollar for their art but let’s be honest……
If you price by how long it took you – remember it took you all your life to get here.    And for many, as you learn the techniques/styles, creating will get quicker.   The same is true with size.  Just because it is big, doesn’t mean it deserves a big price tag.

Just because you finished it, doesn’t mean that it is the best piece of art.  Be honest with yourself.  If it doesn’t meet your expectations then price accordingly, take it apart and do something new or give it away. 

If you have a piece that met all your expectations, then price it high, because you will feel the pang of loss when it sells so you might as well smile all the way to the bank.

Look at the economic climate.  If gas, food and other necessities are at an all time high, then artwork sales may be limited to those who have the extra dollars.  If you need to sell, then the price needs to be adjusted.  If not, hold on to it.

Offer to your gallery the opportunity to put your artwork on sale – ask what month may be best, what pieces you are willing to put on sale etc.  Gallery 202 will not put artwork on sale and during the holiday seasons, with sales abounding everywhere, it can hurt the selling of artwork.

Ask if you can have some pieces just for show and not for sale.  Sometimes it helps to let others see this type of work to sell another piece of artwork at a lesser cost.  You may also get ideas or feedback  for yourself.

Many galleries have an option to reduce the price by a certain percentage to help sell the artwork.   The commission is then taken off the final price.  Try giving special coupons to your friends/families to come to the gallery (ask your gallery first if it is ok and send a copy of the coupon to the gallery.) 

Commissions – ask if there is a variable commission.  For example, if am artist works in Gallery 202 for 8 hrs/month minimum with at least one 4 hour Saturday then the commission goes from 40% to 25%. See what rules apply.

Give your gallery press release options – if you have friends/family in other areas, or have a hometown – let the gallery know and give them the information to send out press releases to these places.  Gallery 202 also sends out e-newsletters.  Pass them along to your friends/patrons.
Latest newsletter can be seen on the homepage of the website.

Visit your gallery in person not just by email/phone.  Plenty of changes occur monthly so see what is happening! Plus, you may be remembered quicker! 

Be an ambassador at your  gallery – whether to clean the bathrooms or sit for a day.  Time at the gallery can help you understand the purpose of the gallery and what is truly involved in running a gallery. 

Tell us your story about your artwork.  It is easier to sell the artwork if we can tell potential patrons your story.

Please don’t use the gallery as your personal storage space.  Gallery 202 requires you to leave the artwork for a minimum of 4 months and if requested to have it available for future sales during your contract time.  But bring in new work every so often.  Even art gets stale.  No matter how many times we may move it around, if it is still the same artwork, people will notice.  If you do not want it back, consider putting it on sale or donating it to the gallery to use for an art auction or giveaway.

Consider creating a special piece of art just for your gallery.  For example, if you are a potter, then when you are making a dozen mugs, create two for the gallery staff.  Using the art, will help sell it.  Functional and nonfunctional art is always appreciated and becomes advertisement for you.

Framing is always an interesting issue.  If you are unsure how to frame, see our framing suggestions but realize that a frame is for protection, can enhance a piece but can also be very detrimental to the sale of a piece.  Frames do not have to be expensive or even required for the piece.

Send pictures of your artwork for the website in a format that is easy to upload or the way your gallery wants them.  If not, it may take some time to get the best pictures up on the web for you.

Gallery 202 does not require you to have a stock of items at home to replenish so experience with your art.  Bring in a variety of artwork – sizes, types etc. 

Ask If how you can do your own exhibit!

Ask if you can teach or do a workshop!

Encourage your friends/patrons to lease the gallery for any event whether bridal shower or graduation party.  The more people who visit, the more chances to increase sales.

Support your gallery by not having your art in other locations near by.   It’s good to get your name out but having art in locations too close by to each other, doesn’t help the galleries/stores.  Show a loyalty.  Some galleries have a no show rule for a specific number of miles, so please respect it!  Gallery 202’s no show rule is 3-5 miles.  Special shows/festivals etc are also apart of the no show rule.  Check with your gallery to find out details.

Support your gallery by not putting down other artists.  You may not believe the art you see is good or gallery worthy but remember others may feel the same about yours.   Find out why the artist was chosen, what are the goals/objectives of the gallery.  Ask how you can help choose artists. 

The internet is great press, sell on the internet if you can but don’t discount the need for some patrons to see/feel the art.  Tell your internet friends/patrons where to see the art.  List the url for the gallery, phone number, address and/or email.

© Gallery 202 Partners in Art, Inc., 2008

Gallery 202, Partners in Art, Inc. Goals

Goals are to:
1. Provide venues for the interaction between businesses and artists to promote, showcase or develop artistic abilities. The Westerville Area is currently does not have many venues for showcasing artists and their artworks, By working with the schools, libraries, businesses etc., Gallery 202 organizes and promotes interactive business/artist relationships for social and community improvement

2. Provide opportunities for interactive programs between schools and businesses to promote, showcase and develop artistic abilities of children. Funding for the arts in the schools in this area has been severely reduced and many art programs especially at the elementary and middle school levels have been removed from the curriculum. Gallery 202 provides program, consultation, support for school age children within the schools and outside the schools.

3. Provide opportunities to encourage the artistic discovery of the lay persons in return encouraging an understanding and overall support for the community and its artists.

4. Provide opportunities for the preservation of the arts in all aspects in the processes involved in art and the end products (artworks, music scripts, photos etc.)