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Permalink Reply by Jason Shipley on April 13, 2009 at 2:56pm

We ask that they make a charitable donation if they sell any work. I'd also recommend coming up with a plan for hanging you'd be amazed at how screwed you walls will get after just a few hangings.

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Permalink Reply by Mallory on April 13, 2009 at 2:57pm

well... as an artist and barista, i think i can offer some advice.
as an artist, i've noticed three options--1) just puttin your stuff on the walls for decoration, not for sale 2) consignment process of art sale--which is usually somewhere in the realm of 70/30ish 3) just plain ol puttin stuff up and selling it where the shop gets no cut.
depends on how you wanna roll and what kind of money you'd like to make--if any. i mean, i'm all for option three, but as a business person, i can completely understand option two. i try to keep in mind that i've rejected putting my art up in establishments because their consignment prices/rations were too high and that's a no go for me. means i got to jack up my prices to make back materials and look like a snobby art ass while doing so.
a good way around here has been craigslist or facebook--seeking artists, etc.
or you as a owner/representative of your shop head out to local galleries with business cards and look around for artists who make art etc you like. get the word out!
go to the local u or community college--even high schools--and let the art departments and classes know you're seeking artists.

just a start :)

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Permalink Reply by Brady on April 13, 2009 at 3:10pm

I think all you really need to find at open is one artist. Once you open, they'll find you... and you'll probably discover that many of your customers are artists. My favorite is being able to display our customers' art work. We do consignment.

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Permalink Reply by Matthew Scott on April 13, 2009 at 5:35pm

We have an application process that is pretty specific. If an artist has enough work for a showing and does work that will fit in with our space, then we'll book them for a 1-2 month slot. This helps us weed out every Joe Schmo that wants to put up the 1 piece they've finished in our shop. It also helps us figure out who's professional enough to show up on the right day with their work in a manner that's ready to hang. If you want to check out our policy, www.lemonjellos.com and click on our "art" page. You can download a .pdf. This has worked well for us. But it goes hand in hand with having 1 longterm (and trusted) staff person who is entirely handling the art process from reviewing applications to booking slots to hanging the art.

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Permalink Reply by John P on April 13, 2009 at 6:43pm

Matthew's response is a great one. You will have many an artist or pseudo-artist claiming they will bring in a portfolio, but in the end, respectable art is few and far between.

Make sure it works in your space. And it's better if they have actually sold their art before. If you decide to host upcoming artists... be as critical of their work as you would be of your own coffee.

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Permalink Reply by Paul Yates on April 13, 2009 at 7:09pm

I guess I am just very blessed to have a very talented artist in the family. My wife's cousin is an incredible painter, who paints portraits for a living and scenics or still lifes for fun. Here's a link: http://www.coleenbarnhart.com/ . Of course, there are a few other local artists, and I have learned that our local frame shop is a great place to spot some promising artists.

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Permalink Reply by Jonathan Meadows on April 13, 2009 at 10:13pm

Thanks everyone, this has been very helpful!

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Permalink Reply by Kim Collins on April 14, 2009 at 5:12am

We hang local art at two of your shops. We never had a problem finding artists...they seemed to find us. But as Jason pointed out, if you don't have the problem hanging system you're going to destroy your walls. We found this http://www.systematicart.com/servlet/StoreFront. You can pick and choose the parts to get the look you like and the systems aren't too expensive.

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Permalink Reply by Jason Shipley on April 14, 2009 at 12:08pm

We just installed an AS Clickrail system. AS Hanging

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Permalink Reply by brett felchner on April 14, 2009 at 12:17pm

You'll be surprised at the quick turnaround of you looking for artists and the number of artists now coming to you. At our shop, there isn't a week that goes by where we don't get a press kit, phone call, or walk-in for showcases. How we do things is that they get to keep their art up for 4-8 weeks with an art reception during the first week (the artist has to bring some food and wine). As well, we do set a certain "donation" or commission on what ends up selling. It's a great idea Jonathan to have local art up in your shop. People love seeing the talent that your town has to offer and it keeps the shop fresh. Let us know how you end up going about things. Take care.

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Permalink Reply by Paul Yates on April 14, 2009 at 4:48pm

Jason, how hard was that system to install? The building I am looking at is an old one, with 14 or 15 foot walls. The ceiling is done in metal tile, and is in great shape. I want to leave all that original, but I think a wall mount hanging system would be the perfect solution. Yours looks great, too, btw!

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Permalink Reply by Jason Shipley on April 14, 2009 at 7:21pm

It was very easy, the track attaches to anchors that you attach to the wall every 12 inches. The hardest part was moving the ladder. That wall is 46 feet long and about as high as yours it only took me and an hour and a half.

Paul Yates said:

Jason, how hard was that system to install? The building I am looking at is an old one, with 14 or 15 foot walls. The ceiling is done in metal tile, and is in great shape. I want to leave all that original, but I think a wall mount hanging system would be the perfect solution. Yours looks great, too, btw!

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