A visit to the The Gallery Shop at the Winnipeg Art Gallery is a real treat. Sheri Van Went, the shop manager, says she is “happy to help artists through the process of selling their work.” The shop sells mostly on consignment. If you would like to sell your work there, it is best to send some jpeg images of your work to Sheri and follow that up with an appointment. (If you just drop in, you’ll be asked to make an appointment.)
When choosing work for the shop, Sheri looks for diversity, trying not to repeat styles similar to what is already available in the shop. Artists set their own prices, and it is helpful if artists include an itemized packing list with the prices along with their delivery.
In the last few years, the Gallery Shop has been creative with their representation of artists, creating events including five Trunk Shows per year which allow featured artists to bring in a larger selection of their work for one weekend with a Friday night launch. Two Fashion Shows per year are also held, allowing jewellery artists to feature their work. The Fashion Shows are held in the Winnipeg Art Gallery. Participating jewellery artists are present at the event with a ‘jewellery bar’ display of their work for sale. There has been so much buzz over the last few years about trunk shows and events held in shops and galleries. Getting creative with events is a great way to keep a space alive and new! (The next fashion show event will take place on May 21, with Michel St. Hilaire in the gallery of The Gallery Shop. Save the date!)
The Gallery Shop also manages artwork rentals – mainly 2 dimensional work – and has a gallery space featuring two and three-dimensional artwork of a functional or sculptural nature. The gallery space is a great way to feature a larger selection of an artist’s body of work. For more about the shop, visit their website here.
(Pictured above, the WAG shop, and a view of the recent Robert Archambeau exhibition hosted in the shop gallery.)
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 working as a collective here.
