Not an "Artist Run" Gallery

Many of you know that I am a painter, but I do not represent my own work here at the gallery. (even though sumi does right in front)
I think it is worth mentioning a few things about how it has only helped my business as a gallery owner and to explain the difference between what I do and what is known as an Artists Run gallery.

Artist Run galleries are usually collective, with a consensus type of structure amongst the members or participants. Many will have shows at a venue that everyone pitches in to pay for and subsequently if you help pay, you are eligible to use the said rented space for showing your work. Group shows are popular, as it reinforces the notion of a collective - where a group of artists are all coming together for the same purpose.
(not to be confused with Vanity Galleries and Artists Studios.)

On the next level of professionalism and business, Artist Run Galleries usually enjoy non-profit qualifications, which allows the group to apply for grants or ask anyone to give them money because they are fabulous. They are required to have classes, lectures or events to the public as a service in exchange for the fees they would charge to help raise money for their collective. They have to have a Board of Directors and members and a treasurer & lots of organization to do paperwork properly.

Now this is not to say that a Non-non-profit gallery does not do a lot of work - We do. These galleries, such as Gallery Revisited are known as Commercial Galleries.
We just have to give you a piece of art when you give us money. If we do a lecture, class or event, we can't charge you for it.

The way in which being an artist has helped my business is that visitors to the gallery feel that my perspective on business is more at heart with where artists are coming from - why they make the art that they do, what they want their art to say, and that my best intentions as their representative are pro-artist. There is a ton of pro-artist sentiment out there. And rightly so - we can't do our job without them.
In addition, if someone like my own art, there is a high likelihood that they like the art that I show in the gallery.

I keep my own art out of the gallery for the simple reason of conflict of interest to my artists. My focus is on them and the curation when I am wearing my gallery hat.

This is always a compelling topic, so I hope I can talk about it again.
In the mean time, here is a neighboring space that is Artist Run.(Machine Project)
And another neighbor that is a Commercial Gallery.(Junc Gallery)

Here is something I am doing as an artist in September. Part of the expansion of my mini-empire.