Question HELP with upcoming interview selling art

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MJF

MJF

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Jul 28, 2011
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Michigan
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Someday
Hi everyone.
I am new at posting so please bear with me, although I have been a fan of this site for many years.

I just recently moved back to Toledo, OH but hopefully will be living in Ann Arbor, MI very soon. I am a very experienced picture framer with 20 years of framing. I haven't been able to find a job picture framing but I did manage to land an interview for a job selling artwork. The shop does framing but looks more like an art gallery than a custom frame shop. It would be nice to gain some experience in the selling of art, but as of now I have very little experience or knowledge but I do welcome the challenge of learning a new craft. So my question is what kind of things could I do to prepare myself for this interview in one week. i.e. questions I'll get asked, questions I should ask, articles or books I could read about selling art. Any advice or input would be very appreciative.

Also if there are shop owners out there in my area(I am willing to commute up to an hour) that need a truly experienced framer I would love to email you my cover letter and resume.

Thanks again,
Matthew
 
Welcome to the "G", Matthew. I hope you enjoy your travels here and also contribute often. We all bring something different of value to this community.

I'm in a similar situation. Grew up in a family art supply and framing business and, although we sold prints and some originals, we were not really a "gallery". Two and a half years ago I started working for a relatively high end gallery as gallery director and overseeing the framing operation too. I am learning as I go but the background in art supplies and framing is definitely a plus. I've also been a collector all my life and come from a family of accomplished artists.

The gallery business is quite an interesting business... working with casual and serious collectors, browsers, other artists, home decorators and interior designers and a myriad of other prospects. It is also a very difficult business in this economy not like the heyday of earlier times. Galleries are closing their doors even faster than independent frame shops.

Here is one resource you might explore: http://www.artbusiness.com/collectors.html

There are numerous articles for both collectors and artists that are pertinent to working in and understanding the gallery business, artists and the types of clients you might work with. At the top click on "articles" and you'll be able to toggle over to another whole set of articles. I found these valuable and amusing to read.

I would also highly suggest going to the gallery's website and familiarize yourself with the artists that are represented in the gallery. Read their biographies. Study their works. Google the artists seperately to obtain more information than what might be on the gallery website. The more you know the better you will be in the interview.

Good luck!!!
 
Here's another freebee site that gives daily art news updates. It's good to know what is happening outside your gallery doors too.

http://afanews.com/
 
Hi Matthew
I remember you came in last week with your resume and you are indeed very experienced. Selling art requires a lot of smiling, eye contact and "holding hands" of the client to encourage them to commit to buying. Good luck, PM me with any questions I would also be curious where your interview is.
 
Welcome Matthew!
Well first, I would say that if you have 20 yrs experience framing, you are already somewhat knowledgeable about art. So you got that going for ya. Second, if you have worked the design table, you've got sales going for you.

Since you may not know what demographics this gallery serves, it would be hard to stear you in a particular direction before the interview. Are they selling mainly local art, or national and international art, or both?

If whoever interviews you doesnt provide that info, I would ask. I would let them know your eagerness to learn, a meet and greet with artists, possibly.

Good luck on the interview, and let us know how it goes.
 
Dave,
Thanks for your suggestions. I have already read an informative article called "How to be an Art Dealer." I'll definitely be checking out that site some more. Also your suggestion on reseaching the gallery is spot on. I knew a little about the shop I was applying to but after reading your post I dug deeper and found out so much more about the owner, how the shop operates, the arstist being shown, and so on. If everything goes well this could be a very rewarding but challenging opportunity. Thanks again for your helpful advice.

Randy,
Wow. Thanks for the tips and checking out my resume. I was a bit surprised to see a post from you being I was just in your shop. But then I looked at your profile and you are among the "picture framing gods" here on the Grumble so it shouldn't be a surprise. As you said, "Selling art requires a lot of smiling, eye contact and "holding hands" of the client to encourage them to commit to buying." that sounds similar to designing and selling at the design table, which I am very good at. So I do have experience around art and the art of design, I'm sure those skills would be an advantage, but selling this kind of art in this environment is definitely different.
Sorry I didn't stick around longer to see your store when I was there, I just was on a tight schedule that day. I'll have to stop by another day to see your shop, it is a great looking shop. Love the location too.

Nikfrz,
Thanks for your reply. The gallery sells local, national and international and the art is paintings in oil, watercolor, glass art and sculptures. And your right about my eagerness to learn a new craft so hopefully it works out.

And I will try to contribute to the Grumble because this really is a great site and me having 20 yrs of framing I think I could probably offer something. I just have never been much of a posting kinda of guy, but maybe that will change after posting for the first time today.

So thanks again for the help and I'll let you know how the interview went.
 
Welcome to the Grumble.
Projecting confidence and knowledge can be a major key in making a sale.
The fact that you have nuts and bolts experience in framing is a definite plus.
I have found this myself as I have 42 years of framing experience but have not been heavily in sales until the last few years.
When you can speak easily and confidently from actual experience, people sense this and respect it.
 
Welcome to the G Matthew, and good luck with your career search! :thumbsup:
 
MJF said:
I just recently moved back to Toledo, OH but hopefully will be living in Ann Arbor, MI very soon.

Any advice or input would be very appreciative.
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Obviously you are well experienced but my advice would be to make sure you do not use the above statement. In this day and age, finding an employee is hard and expensive, if i was looking I would not hire someone who told me that they wanted to move away very soon.

Good luck in your search!
 
DTWDSM said:
Obviously you are well experienced but my advice would be to make sure you do not use the above statement. In this day and age, finding an employee is hard and expensive, if i was looking I would not hire someone who told me that they wanted to move away very soon.

Good luck in your search!
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Tim it's a 1/2 hour commute, non issue...
 
Art Sales

Art sales and picture framing are indeed 2 different animals.
I do know from doing this for 30 years that art gallery personnel and owners are looking for sales staff. Here, where I work, they hire sales people, and could give a lick if they know how to frame or even about framing.
Sales staff are expected to do three things in order- Sell themselves, sell our services, then sell the art. If you do the first 2 things correctly the third takes care of itself. So, I wouldn't dwell too much on framing experience except to include it as a side skill, I would stress the sales experience that came with it and your knowledge of the art itself, include people skills and communication skills. Phone skills are a must as dry calling is expected. Dress for the part and wear a serious smile. Be personable. You are not your customer's 'friend' you are their 'art professional'.

good luck. Hope it works out for you.

:smiley:
 
Good input, Shane. I'd also add that organizational skills are a must too. In gallery sales, as in most other types of sales, the ability to keep good contact records along with personal likes and dislikes, following up when new works come in and just generally relationship building requires detailed organization.
 
RParrish said:
Tim it's a 1/2 hour commute, non issue...
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Hi Tim,
Thanks for the comment.
As randy said it's a 45 min. drive tops. I just wanted shop owners that are in that vicinty to know that I was available to work and commute. My family and I will not be moving from this area for a long time.
 
Shane and Dave,
Thanks for the great advice. You all are really contributing so much in helping me work on and to visualize my upcoming interview.
Thanks again,

Matthew
 
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