I "sat", "Baby Sat", "Manned" or any number of descriptions for working the gallery yesterday. Our new location in Lake Arrowhead village just opened officially this week.
It is 2000 square feet and we have been able to accommodate all the members who want to hang their work. I was concerned that I committed to a full day every Tuesday and that it would conflict with work I have that is now getting seriously overdue.
So I thought I would bring the study I am doing with me and while I attended to the gallery I would paint, also giving the gallery a working environment that potential customers would appreciate. Another member – a man about my age – came by in the morning before we opened and thought it was his day. I showed him the calendar and he then saw my set up and asked if he could also sit and work on watercolor and I said the more the merrier. It worked out well.
We had about 18 groups of people no more than five and no less than one walk through and I suppose that was a good amount. No real sales just Looky Loos.
The gallery opens onto the Lake and is very well located for foot traffic for all the events the Village has for the coming season.
Tonight is a meeting of the Board and there are a lot of items to discuss about the future. I have heard from almost everyone with any responsibilities that this organization has had some significant ups and downs, and yet it is poised to be even better than ever before. I hope to be a strong influence and yet I can’t allow myself to get too involved as my painting is and should be a priority.
We have great enthusiasm from all concerned and some very strong artists coming in for the first time and some that have left and now coming back. The one main issue of course is sales. And how difficult it will be to keep any artist in the gallery for the monthly fee we charge if they don’t sell anything. Alas, retail!
Lou
