When artists collaborate, great things can happen. In terms of collaborating as artists in business, dreams can be made to come true. In the case of The Stoneware Gallery, started in the 70’s by John Waddell, a long life of business collaboration has ensued. Years ago John invited a few potter friends to start a shop with him as a collective to help create sustainable professions for each of them. And it worked!
The shop, attached to a teaching studio located at 778 Corydon Ave., is still in business and sells the works of 14 potters. Legally the business functions as a limited partnership, where each member contributes a sum in the beginning of joining and then displays their work in the shop. Each artist is responsible for staffing the shop for one day every second week. The store takes a very small percent of each sale to invest back into the costs of overhead and each artist is paid well enough from sales that they are able to make a living, something which has become increasingly difficult in today’s economy. One of the members said years ago that the gallery “changed his life!”
One of the reasons that the gallery is successful is that there is a teaching studio in the back. The studio functions as a separate business owned by 5 artists. Valerie Metcalfe, one of the last founders still involved in the gallery, toured me through the studio, saying “running a studio is really too much work for one person, but together it works out really well, and having a teaching studio as an artist is a very sensible way of making a living.” The gallery and studio were started without grants and is supported through its business activities. “The key to surviving,” says Valerie, “is having a good financial structure. Somebody needs to know the books!”
An exhibit celebrating the Stoneware gallery opened on February 7th, and will be on display until March 9th at the Winnipeg Art Gallery –Gallery Shop, at 300 Memorial Boulevard.
In celebration of International Women’s Day, the WAG is offering free admission on March 8, 11 am – 5pm; a great time to catch the Stoneware Collective’s show just before it closes!
Kelly Ruth is an MCC member and fibre artist who is, to quote her, “causing mischief by daring to carve out a lifestyle that is most authentic to who she is.” Find her last post on doing the BIG retail craft shows here.
