It seems like dozens of times a year I get asked to advise someone or a group of someones how to set up a co-op for artists. You see, over 10 years ago, I did just that. Sometimes the assistance requested is coming from working artists who are frustrated with the current gallery representation in their towns, other times it comes from gallery owners wanting to add some cooperative element to their existing gallery to allow more artist involvement and to lessen their own hours of involvement. (I've got news for them...it won't lessen your hours!) In any case, I see that cooperation is a wave that many artists are riding these days, and for sound reason. It makes sense to be personally involved in the representation of your work. You get immediate feedback from your public, you see what is working for other artists, and your public wants to get to know you personally. It has worked well for us for over 10 years. One artist said to me the other day, "you've got a real cult following at this place". Maybe so. The cult is growing every day. Our customers want to connect to the artists and the artists want to connect to their customers. What better way than to be located in a space that you can be found year round.
So, with the use of this little blog site, I hope to cultivate the cooperative movement without actually having to write that book I started several years ago. (it ain't gonna happen) Maybe some of you can add your thoughts and ideas and hopefully we can help others to become cooperators.
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