PRINTGalleries for Local Artists
Everything you need to know about where to find, buy and sell local art in Columbia
Valerie Mosley
Angie Scholtzhauer’s fiber art show, “Tattered,” is on display at Poppy until June 7. Scholtzhauer, who is working on her master’s in art education at MU, made each piece from hand-dyed silk.
June 3, 2009 | 12:00 p.m. CST
Stores, museums and restaurants all over town eagerly display the work of hometown artists. But in a town so loyal to the locals, how do you sort through the who, what and where? In order to make what might seem like a daunting task dramatically easier, Vox breaks down seven spots looking to showcase the work of the local creative crowd. From submission to commission, put down that paintbrush and pick up a pen.
The Arsenic Leopard
443-4555, 32 N. Ninth Street
The Arsenic Leopard takes things on a consignment basis to decide whether or not it is interested. If the store likes it, the artist and shop will put together a consignment agreement. Lisa Suits, the sole proprietor and owner of The Arsenic Leopard, is the eye to impress in order to get art in the door. The Arsenic Leopard retains a 45 percent commission on all work sold in store. Currently, it features the work of fewer than ten local artists, including photos, jewlery, original drawings and ceramics. Prices on local artwork range from $9 – $400.
The Arsenic Leopard
Columbia Art League
PS: Gallery
Tellers
Poppy
442-3223, 920 E. Broadway
Interested artisans should make an appointment with owner Barbara McCormick. She will evaluate the work to see if it fits within the store’s focus, primarily to make sure it doesn’t compete with other items already in the store. McCormick says the three factors
she focuses on when evaluating whether an artist’s work is right for the store are price range, quality and originality. Work is taken on a consignment basis, and the commission retained is decided individually.
Columbia Art League
443-8838, 207 Ninth Street
The art league stresses that artists’ work must be original. In order to sell, you have to be a member of the Columbia Art League, but anyone may participate in different exhibits put on throughout the year. No worries, CAL is no secret society, and information about joining can be found online. The only catch is that it involves paying a membership fee, which ranges from $20 for students to $1,000 for those at the “Renaissance” level. CAL reserves the right to reject any work and maintains that there is no insurance available on pieces left in the gallery. The league retains 35 percent commission on work sold while in the showroom. Forms for submitting work can be found at cal.missouri.org.
Craft Studio Gallery
882-2889, N12 Memorial Union
Don’t let the name fool you, this gallery is much more than Play-Doh and finger paints. Craft Studio requires a completed application form, CDs or slides featuring work the artist wishes to showcase in the exhibit and an artist’s statement before it will consider work for the gallery. There is a $15 fee for MU students and staff and a $20 fee for all other artists once the art has been accepted. The fee covers reception costs and wear and tear on the gallery while artwork is on display. All work on exhibit may be sold if the artist chooses. The gallery retains 15 percent on student work and 20 percent on non-student work. Find downloadable applications and guidelines at craftstudio.org.
PS: Gallery
442-4831, 812 E. Broadway
PS accepts any medium, with the exception of performance art, that has been created within the past three years. Artists should submit six to eight images of their work and label them with their name, the title of the work and date created. Entry forms, which can be found online, image slides and a $15 non-refundable cashier’s check made out to Perlow-Stevens Gallery should be submitted. The gallery retains 50 percent commission on all sales during the exhibit, which is a little real estate agent-esque and maybe not best for the artist who’s in it for the money, honey. For entry forms and further information, visit perlow-stevensgallery.com.
Tellers Gallery and Bar
441-8355, 820 E. Broadway
There is currently a year-long waiting list for artists who want to display work at Tellers. If you’re not intimidated by the lengthy line, bring in a portfolio to show owner Robin Ayers, business partner Deb Rust and front-of-house manager Sarah Wells. The gallery is “open-minded and pretty liberal when it comes to the content of the pieces,” says Ayers. Ideally, artists should have approximately two dozen pieces ready to showcase throughout the space. The work is put on sale, and commission is handled, along with price, on a case-by-case basis.
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