Beware Vanity Gallery Scams

[@millasipolaart]

Thank you so much, you saved me from a scam! I was so close to making the contract because I was so excited of my first painting going to a show. But they had all the red flags you just said! Phew!

[@timpackerfinearts]

So glad you didn’t get taken advantage of😊👍

[@jutta3378]

Thank you Mr Packer, this is very important information for any aspiring artist. I remember clicking on a website recently to view some artist's work and a few days later received one of those strange emails from a gallery based in California offering a space! The funny thing is that I don't even have an online art presence at the moment so I knew immediately that this email probably went out to anyone viewing the website. Unfortunately I don't remember the name of this place but yes, these scams can really hurt a young artist starting out.

[@christopherelliot4964]

Thanks Tim. . . .I will keep in touch

[@timpackerfinearts]

👍😊

[@ronchurchill6492]

Valuable information… thanks Tim!

[@timpackerfinearts]

My pleasure Ron 😊👍

[@susanj-s6425]

Thank-you for the information - good to know. I was not aware of these types of galleries.

[@timpackerfinearts]

My pleasure Susan 😊👍

[@mikenoneofyourbusiness7122]

It’s most of private galleries, sadly. Because people don’t buy original fine arts. It’s a bloody hobby and most people have artistic hobbies now. There’s simply no demand and way too many offers. Art is a hobby, not business.

[@spraycan62]

I just had a gallery in Chelsea reach out to by email and later followed up with a phone call.Definitly a vanity gallery huge fees for use of wall plus a whopping g 45% commission 😀 🙂 😄 😳. I told them thanks for the opportunity but don't think I would be a good fit plus I was looking into multiply options.Great video.

[@karlabritfeld7104]

Sounds like the same vanity gallery he's talking about.

[@davo77771]

Great info Tim. If good galleries are beating people off with a stick, how does one get in & not get a terrible beating?

[@timpackerfinearts]

The answer is simple but not easy: Create great work with a unique voice. I go into much greater detail on this subject in my free webinar 10 Keys To Selling Your Art You can watch it at www.aspiringartist.ca 😊👍

[@davea9405]

@@timpackerfinearts Thank you Tim - I knew you;d say that. Who defines what's great art? I'm sure you'd say the public / your audience & who buys... & there's another deeper more philosophical discussion there haha - are we all about making money, beauty is in the eye of the heholder & much more :)

[@timpackerfinearts]

@@davea9405 it all depends on what one hopes to accomplish with their art... if someone wants to earn a living from their art... then I believe I can be of great help. If someone wants to have their work exhibited in public galleries and museums... and be written about by art critics... then I’m definitely not someone who’s advice they should take😉

[@karlabritfeld7104]

It's who you know.

[@mikenoneofyourbusiness7122]

Nobody buys original fine art, it’s just a hobby. Most people have artistic hobbies. But it’s not a profession, since there’s no demand. People won’t even get ikea stuff on sale these days.

[@art-in-the-wilderness]

so in Jan 2020 I exhibited with a local gallery in a small town near me. They charged a fee for the wall space. I was able to recoup most of the costs by applying for and receiving an exhibition assistance grant. They did not sell any of my work, even the very small inexpensive pieces. It was supposed to be a 3 month exhibit but due to covid it was extended. They did very little advertising. Was I duped? Was this a vanity gallery??? Should I be taking this experience off my CV?

[@timpackerfinearts]

A “legitimate” commercial gallery does not charge artists to exhibit... it sounds like this gallery makes its money by renting out its wall space rather than selling art. It’s walking and quacking like a duck😉

[@art-in-the-wilderness]

@@timpackerfinearts thank you for the confirmation :)

[@MonicaFineArt]

Thank you for the info. They are a lot of those kinds of galleries here.

[@timpackerfinearts]

Glad you enjoyed the content 😊👍

[@karlabritfeld7104]

I love in a small town in Virginia and they're all vanity galleries.

[@crystalfullerton8904]

Thank you for this. Great advice.

[@timpackerfinearts]

My pleasure Crystal

[@wronghandlane9665]

Thank you Tim! May I ask, do you have inout on submission fees for art galleries, exhibits or competitions? I am seeing smaller fees, but i notice often the websites or 'online' galleries are very small... boasting a social media boost or exposure when these online galleries have very few followers or views doesn't seem quite right to me.. any input? Some do offer cash prizes too, but i am just not sure. Thank you sincerely for your time!

[@timpackerfinearts]

the best way to gauge the merit of an in person show or festival is to actually go and attend the year in advance. As for online art shows... unless they have a huge following I don't think there is much value there.

[@Ssmto]

Great info. I notice so many "DM @ " or other instagram comments. All annoying but I can see how Chelsea would definitely be enticing.

[@timpackerfinearts]

For the most part these type of businesses make all of their money off of artists fees... so they have no real incentive to sell the work. 👍

[@totallyrovi]

What about online calls? and competitions?

[@timpackerfinearts]

You need to research any juried show to determine for yourself whether it is worth your time. Some are great opportunities… others… not so much.

[@debmanrique6466]

Would a vanity gallery be a good idea if you need something to put on an empty resume'?

[@debmanrique6466]

Would it help to get into an art show, or Art Walk?

[@timpackerfinearts]

No I don't think it would... most people in the business know who these vanity galleries are. You would be better to rent a pop-up space and run your own show there :)

[@snowconrad2829]

really useful info. Thank you!

[@timpackerfinearts]

My pleasure😊👍

[@alexiacerwinskipierce8114]

I know vanity galleries are bad. I mean, having a gallery approach me, was a red flag all on its own. But I am curious about other galleries. The ones that hold frequent open calls, where you pay to submit work for an exhibition opportunity. But if you are chosen, then everything seems to function like a normal gallery. They don't charge for showing your work and they take a 50% commission. Are those galleries worth pursuing? I have been tempted to submit work to their open calls. But I don't want to pay if I don't have more information on whether or not it would help me in the long run. If that makes any sense.

[@Judymarithfamily]

Thank you so much for the information!

[@timpackerfinearts]

My pleasure 😊🙏👍

[@FergusonArt]

Thankyou very much

[@timpackerfinearts]

my pleasure 👍😊

[@rd3735]

Let me guess....does this Chelsea gallery name rhyme with Agora?

[@timpackerfinearts]

😉👍

[@rd3735]

@@timpackerfinearts And to add insult to injury they not only charge a fee to exhibit but take a percentage of the sales as well.

[@_tomissa_]

Agora 😆 😆 they are still in the market?? Omg

[@Mimi-ln1pm]

😂😂

[@larrysmith2123]

Same with art vanity awards. Why must I foot the bill for an 'award'? Absurd!

[@konstantinospapaioannou2588]

Thank you for this video!

[@timpackerfinearts]

My pleasure Konstantinos 👍

[@dw7939]

I just got this offer from a Vanity Gallery. I had a bad feeling immediately. If they can't name what painting they like my warning bells go off. They wanted to send me a proposal via pdf. No way. I don't need a pdf to sell a painting. I don't pay to show my art, that's why I have instagram.

[@karlabritfeld7104]

I don't pay anyone to show my art.

[@mikenoneofyourbusiness7122]

Yes, what a scam

[@champloo9]

I almost fell for one recently. Now I'm glad I know the truth.

[@timpackerfinearts]

@@champloo9 love to hear that 😊👍

[@TheNinja691]

Hi Tim, I’m from the UK and have had bad experiences with the two galleries I’ve worked with. It’s not just the percentage they take, it’s the fact they do nothing to promote me. I wouldn’t mind giving over a hefty percentage if they actually did something. So, I was thinking of getting an old bread truck and having my own mobile gallery. Do you think this would be a good idea?

[@timpackerfinearts]

Sorry I didn’t get back to you sooner... sometimes comments slip through the cracks. That might work ... especially if you use social media to promote the dates and locations of where you will be👍

[@TheNinja691]

@@timpackerfinearts thanks for getting back to me Tim, I appreciate you’re a busy man. Love your work. You are one of my main inspirations and I tell people that when they ask who are my influences. Glad to see you’re back on your feet regarding your health. Take care and God bless. ☺️🙏

[@karlabritfeld7104]

I think that's a great idea!

[@mikenoneofyourbusiness7122]

At the end of the day, you’re responsible for selling your artwork, nobody else is going to do it. Galleries are looking for artists who already have the following. I don’t see why give galleries a cut for doing absolutely nothing.

[@birdpainter452]

Really great info! :)

[@karlabritfeld7104]

I know if a gallery is coming looking for me then they want my money. Im not famous. I just paint a lot.

[@champloo9]

Now I know the truth.

[@timpackerfinearts]

@@champloo9 😊👍

[@dustyrustymusty3577]

One way or another they are all vanity galleries and all scams.

[@bobbfourtytwo9724]

Got this while trying to look up.a gallery cus i think a guys a fraud lol