Expert: DJ Murphy - 10/19/2003

Question
Dear DJ,
I'm Marcel and i am a artist from Holland.
I have send my work to a gallery in New York,
They where inpressed.They love to exhibit but they ask for a representation fee (2850 usd)
that's not the kind of money i have.
You must understand i'm dying to go to New York
with my work. is this common and if it's not
this looks like a legitemed gallery
agora-gallery.com, you must understand its the break i have been waiting for. there is nothing i want more. can you tel me is this a normal gallery?.
Marcel Enderink

Answer
Hello Marcel,

Would a gallery that you want your work shown in.......charge you a fee for exhibiting your work?

Agora gallery has been referred to as a "vanity" gallery by those who are in the art gallery business.  The payment of a fee for exhibiting your work is not the normal practice in the U.S.  I can't advise you not to pursue this particular gallery, BUT if it was me, I wouldn't do it.  "Normal" galleries take work on consignment and split the sales 50/50.

dj murphy