Yesterday I spent a few hours with a friend visiting galleries in my neighborhood (Chelsea, New York City) and came to realize after our first few stops that we were being ignored. We casually wandered through gallery spaces looking at art and taking our time but not once did a gallery member approach us. In three of the five galleries we visited we didn't even SEE another human being because the staff was protected from the riffraff behind thick white walls and closed doors. Shocking? No. Frustrating? Yes. A few posts ago I mentioned that galleries were now doing more to focus on 'client experience.' Apparently the galleries we visited are not doing much to make their walk-in traffic feel welcomed or wanted. I am the first to admit that I don't want someone following me around like a sales clerk hungry for a commission when I am looking at art, but a simple "Hello. Let me know if I can answer any questions for you," would be nice.
I got a message at work today from the director of a gallery we stopped into yesterday asking that I come see their show before it comes down. I saw the show. They missed seeing me.
UPDATE: I recently found an old post from MAN offering tips to gallerists. It should be required reading for all gallerists.
this sounds a lot like what we were talking about here:
http://art.blogging.la/archives/000255.phtml
guess it's not just an LA problem.
Posted by: sean bonner | February 27, 2004 at 06:44 PM
I encourage everyone to check out the link Sean has listed above! It is wonderful to see so many like-minded souls! Let's change an industry and break those "old school" art world ways!
Posted by: Paige | March 03, 2004 at 04:34 PM