I live in downtown Asheville and represent a local abstract/contemporary artist. He is quite an amazing gentleman, a 78 year old Army veteran, who has been an artist his whole life. He spent his career working in Long Island NY as a high school art teacher for over 30 years. Now, recently widowed and living in a retirement community, his entire life is completely consumed with creating new pieces that have begun to clutter up his two bedroom apartment.
When I met him, he asked me if I could help him get some of his work displayed in local galleries and perhaps sell some of it. Though this is not something I have past experience doing, I am also an Army veteran and I understand that if you want to make something happen bad enough all you need to do is learn and chip away at it. Hartley is a very talented artist, and it makes him happy when others can enjoy his creations. It is a shame to see so many beautiful pieces of art not being enjoyed.
Over the past several months I have taken digital pictures of dozens of his pieces, helped him create an artist statement and curriculum vitae, made him a shop on Etsy.com, and have made him a portfolio of some of his favorite pieces both in digital and hard copy. We are now in the stage of finding places in Asheville where we can get his worked displayed. I have not had very much luck in this area so far and am reaching out to see if there is someone who might be able to help me take this to the next level. Someone familiar with local Asheville is preferable but certainly not necessary. Getting some of Hartley's work in a gallery would be a huge success!
Thanks for reading
Answers
Understanding who his customers are might help. Has he sold enough to form a "persona" of a typical customer? If so, where are THOSE people hanging out (physically or online)...then go there to promote his artwork.
If the artwork is a little pricey, is there value in creating/selling prints? If the original gets sold, that is the end of it. But if you had less expensive prints available, you could continue to generate revenue from the prints with no additional work on his part.
Brian Richardson
www.VetLaunched.com
Thank you so much Samantha! I will definitely reach out to your friend, Avery, that sounds like a great lead. I will make sure to let him know you sent me his way :) As far as the social media stuff, I do have him up on facebook, but not the other social media platforms yet, I really should prioritize that! He is older as I mentioned so has no interest in technology what-so-ever, so that part would be on me hahaha. I was really active on the facebook page but ended up letting it slip as we moved further into things. Thanks for the thoughts and advice though, it really helps to have some different perspectives. I appreciate everything you all have posted to help me with this. Thanks!!
Good call Drew, I haven't really checking into many restaurants yet, that would be a great place to try though, especially given the amount of places to eat in Asheville!! I'll start with early Girl and check out what I can do with that avenue. Thanks man!
You may also want to talk to the Biltmore (sp?) estates museum, maybe he can get a small space out there to showcase his work on weekends when the crowds are about. Local Libraries may also be a place to start as well.
Please reach out to my photographer friend, Avery Reid, he is in Asheville as well, and has a photo gallery somewhere downtown. He is on FB as well. If you look for him on my FB page under Samantha Gammill, you will see Avery's contact information. Please have your veteran friend in on FB and see if they can collaborate on something together. Avery is a very wonderful man who is always available to help those in need near to him. Good Luck!! Drew has a great point as well. Also has he posted anything on FB or any other social media sites like Twitter or Instagram.
Have you talked to any restaurants that hang art inside? I am thinking of places like the Early Girl Eatery that have art hanging (and for sale). That might be a way to get some exposure.
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