Artist's Granddaughter

[bcantarel]

Hi all,
My grandmother has recently passed away. Now I find myself with several pieces of her art. You see she sort of took up scultping in the last years of her life and was never able to "let it go". She had talked about submitting her pieces for shows/competitions, but once she got sick (cancer) she was unable. Now I must find a venue for her art, even though I am not an artist, but just a scientist. Can anyone help me get started? I would rather not sell her pieces on eBAY (she would be rolling over in her grave if I did that, but this is what the rest of the family has suggested). I am would like to put it in a consignment shop or maybe enter a local competition or show, but how do I do that. How do I honor her and her pieces? And how would it work, since I am not the artist?

HELP!
Thanks
bcantarel

[iron ant]

Don't hock her stuff on Ebay.Do you have an arts guild in your town?It is hard to give you proper direction without knowing what she made.Try displaying them at your local library,public buildings,or small colleges in your area.A consignment shop might work,but they will want 40 to 50% of retail price.Make sure the shop/gallery has insurance and has a good reputation.For every honest art dealer there is half a dozen "sharks" out there.Good luck and if you can at least keep one to pass down to the generations in the family.

[fritchie]

bcantarel - I know this may be awkward for you to do, but if you are able, I suggest you photograph and post here images of one or two of her works. These needn't be expert or expensive shots - if you have access to an electronic camera, that would work fine, with the images already in electronic form. You do need to watch size, because images here should not exceed about 50 or so kilobytes in size, nor be more than about 5 - 6 inches in either direction.

Images would be of great help in answering your questions. For instance, they would answer the question of whether the works are complete, or in a preliminary form that might not be salable.

If you can’t do this or prefer not to, I suggest you talk with at least two art galleries or local artists’ organizations in your area. Many cities or even towns of some size have such associations, and I think they would be glad to help.

[bcantarel]

Thanks for the advise so far, how do I approach libraries, local colleges or local buildings? I mean, who would I contact from those places (the manager, or is there a specific job for this)? I have contacted a few galleries, many seem to only sell the art of a few artists or only through an art dealer...I will look into artist organizations or guild in virginia, in the mean time, I have attached a few photos of some pieces she has done.
Thanks again

[fritchie]

Thanks for the advise so far, how do I approach libraries, local colleges or local buildings? I mean, who would I contact from those places (the manager, or is there a specific job for this)? I have contacted a few galleries, many seem to only sell the art of a few artists or only through an art dealer...I will look into artist organizations or guild in virginia, in the mean time, I have attached a few photos of some pieces she has done.
Thanks again

Bcantarel - Thanks for posting these images. I think you should find a market of some sort. They definitely qualify as completed works. I’m not entirely surprised you have encountered resistance from galleries. Many living artists have to try up to ten or more galleries before being accepted.

I’m also not sure I understand what you mean by “libraries, local colleges or local buildings”. Are you proposing that an institution of this sort set up an exhibit? Some may do this, but in general, I think not unless it’s a place that does so regularly, and in that case, publicity should indicate whom to contact. I suspect your best bet will be with some area artists’ organization, guild, or association. These groups generally have venues for display and sale, possibly daily, or possible only seasonally.

Though you are not the artist in this case, I think as heir and presumably owner or owners’ representative, I think you would be allowed to exhibit and sell, either for a membership fee, or membership and space rental. I do hope others can help with suggestions. Surely this is an issue that will arise repeatedly in one way or another.

[bcantarel]

I’m also not sure I understand what you mean by “libraries, local colleges or local buildings”. Are you proposing that an institution of this sort set up an exhibit? Some may do this, but in general, I think not unless it’s a place that does so regularly, and in that case, publicity should indicate whom to contact.


I was sort of confused myself, another post had suggested this, and I wasn't really sure what they meant either. I wasn't sure what these kinds of places could offer me that's why I asked about the approach. I will look into local artist's associations and organizations. Thanks again.

[fused]

My first thought is how many works did your grandmother leave behind
and the second is does anyone in the family want to keep them?

[bcantarel]

She probably left behind over 20 pieces maybe 30-40. All of the family has had their chance to look over the pieces and take the ones that they wanted. So now it is up to me to deal with the rest. I have created a website of most of her pieces that doesn't include nude men and heads (busts) that she had done it can be found at
http://wrpmg4d.bioch.virginia.edu/~bmc8d/art/