Wednesday, March 15, 2017

Toucan Gallery


Functional considerations:
·  Has traffic flow been planned for in the gallery space?

The flow was well considered for small groups of people, however it gets a little coral like when there is a big group of people, there isn’t a big walkway for people to get around each other so you have to keep moving with the traffic or get caught in an in between area with even smaller walkways. 

·  How has the space been designed to serve multiple purposes (frame shop; openings; boutique, etc.)? 
Do you see any potential problems with traffic flow or the exhibition of artworks? If so, what are they?
It has bee designed in a nice way where the paintings and 2d works are on the walls, the frame shop is in the back with a separated little area so your not in the way of the retail traffic, and the jewelry and other retail goods have a nice aesthetically pleasing display in the middle. 


Formal considerations:
·  Describe the typographic aesthetics: evaluate its effectiveness. How do the choices of fonts, etc. on the signs and signage complement or detract from the artwork?

The logos make a recognizable brand for itself, however is it distracting to have the prices of work be in inconsistent places and having them so in your face at times, I feel that can really take away from the work.
·  Is there visual unity of elements/components within the displays in the gallery space and within the window displays? Explain why or why not?
 
Is there a clear information hierarchy throughout? If so, how is this achieved?
I felt that there was a good balance of colors and object sizes. There was red jewelry displayed next to a red painting and a red scarf on one side and I felt that was a nice display. Although I did feel it was a little overcrowded to have so much going on at once in the windows.
·  Does the gallery seem to have a visual style? If so, describe it. Is it appropriate to the type of gallery this is? Why or why not?

There is a nice balance of color through the whole space, and the way that the painting are leaned against the walls along with the jewelry and other consumer goods makes it feel like a retail art gallery that caters to all forms of art. I do feel this is appropriate for this space because that is their mission statement. To “…promote art for everyone.”

Conceptual considerations:
·  Describe the overall message of the gallery (as you understand it) in one sentence. You may wish to refer to the gallery website.

I saw the gallery as a space to see and sell any form or art.

·  Does the organization of the work in the gallery have a linear sequence (a beginning and ending point), or is it a fluid sequence (the visitor can start at any point in the exhibit and move to any other point?)?

I did not see a visual organization of the space as much as a physical one.  Like I said before it is kind of like a racetrack with a somewhat narrow walkway, so it is in our nature to start to the right and circle around that way. But in theory anyone could go to any spot in the gallery to look around, there is no overall theme with a message that I could see.

·  Is the type of sequence effective? If not, how would you improve it?

This is a very effective sequence for retail.

Visitor observations:

·  What do you believe would be the most and least popular aspects of this gallery space for visitors 
under the age of 25?

I think that there is an added appeal to people under 25 because there is jewelry and clothing to draw in the not so art savvy part of the community. But that is about the only thing I can see as appealing to most people under 25, and that is aimed more so at woman, there was no men’s fashion that I could see in there.

·  What are the most and least popular aspects of this gallery for visitors over the age of 25?

It is a quite area that has a decent walk way and not a lot of younger people. I could see the small walkways and lack of seating as something a visitor over 25 not liking.

·  Can visitors share their experiences of the art with others, or are they designed to be individual artistic experiences? Explain.

I don’t really understand the question. I believe that all art is designed to be an individual experience.

·  If you could change one thing in this gallery space, what would it be? Why?

I would make a little more room for walking and have one or two fewer tables in the middle of the space. If nothing else rearranging the flow the tables create periodically could be beneficial to the retail business and the customer experience.

Thursday, March 2, 2017

letter of agreement/contract

AGREEMENT made as of the 6th day of May, 2017 between Deborah Bright, and Northcutt Steele Gallery, Montana State University Billings Imaginarium
The AGREEMENT as is follows:
1.     Creation and Title. This paragraph should include a statement that the Artist created and possesses unencumbered title to the works of art listed and described on the attached Gallery Listing of Artworks (to be turned in six weeks prior to the opening of the show) and has the right to loan these works for the purpose of exhibition Imaginarium
2.     Duration of Loan, Manner of Exhibition, and Fee. This paragraph should outline the duration of the loan agreement. The Artist hereby agrees to loan the Exhibitor the works listed on the Gallery Schedule beginning August 31ts, 2017 and ending October 26th 2017. The exhibitor agrees to exhibit these works for no less than 34 days during this time period as part of the exhibition titled: Imaginarum. Gallery hours are 8am-4pm, Monday through Friday. Delivery, Condition, and Care. This paragraph should outline the responsibilities of transporting work to and from the gallery. Make sure to be as specific as possible in this paragraph and account for limited storage space, etc. (Think about what type of packaging may not be appropriate for the limits of gallery receiving/storage space, etc.). Draft a plan about when, where, and how the work will be received.
3.     Loss or Damage and Insurance. This paragraph outlines the parties responsible for insuring the artwork and during what dates. The Exhibitor shall be responsible for loss or damage of artwork for the duration of the exhibition. Insurance coverage during transportation to the Northcutt Steele Gallery, MSU Billings, shall be the responsibility of the Artist. Insurance coverage during transportation to the artist from the Northcutt Steele Gallery, MSU Billings shall be the responsibility of the gallery.
4.     Condition of Work The Artist shall be responsible for delivering undamaged, ready for display artwork to the Exhibitor by October 26th 2017. The Exhibitor shall not be responsible for proper installation of work that is not properly framed, wired, mounted, etc. All framed artwork must have a secure wire on the back and all three-dimensional work should have a sound base. In the event special installation is required for the display of any work, the labor and equipment involved shall be outlined in the Schedule of Artworks and paid for by the Artist. Exhibitor agrees that the Artist shall have sole authority to determine when cleaning or repairs are necessary and to perform them him/herself.
5.     Copyright, Reproduction, and Promotion. The Exhibitor will provide an exhibition postcard. The Artist should provide an acceptable, print-ready digital image (300 dpi, 5”x7”, jpeg or jpeg with longest dimensions between 2100 and 3500 pixels) for reproduction at least 6 weeks before the opening of the show. The Exhibitor will make every effort to provide color postcards for the Artist. The Artist is also responsible for providing the Exhibitor two (2) copies of an Inventory List of the artworks that will be shown, including title, medium, price (for insurance purposes), and dimensions.
6 weeks before the exhibition opening, the Artist shall also provide the Exhibitor with a short Biography paragraph, Artist Statement, and Resume for exhibition and promotional purposes. If desired, the Artist may provide the Exhibitor with a list of 25 names (consistently formatted) to be included within the mailing of the announcement postcards. The Exhibitor will also provide 25 cards to the Artist prior to the opening that the Artist may choose to mail. The Artist will note that the bulk mailing label located on the postcard that says “postage paid” is a bulk mailing label that used by the university and will need to affix postage.
6.     Right to Refuse works not listed in the schedule. The exhibitor shall retain the right to refuse for inclusion in this exhibition any work that has not been listed in the schedule of artworks.
7.     Anything else you feel is important for the smooth installation of the exhibition.
Artist and Northcutt Steele Gallery, Department of Art agree to the terms of this contract


____________________________________        _______________________________
NAME OF ARTIST                 Date                   YOUR NAME DateArtist Northcutt                       Steele Gallery Representative
Northcutt Steele Gallery, Department of Art, Montana State University Billings
Exhibition Loan Agreement
Exhibition: Imaginarium
Dates: August 31ts, 2017 through October 26th 2017
Artist Contact information:
Deborah Bright
631 North Hancock Ave. Washington, WA 80903
Phone: 970-420-2106

The artist assumes the responsibility of updating the gallery in a timely manner regarding any and all changes to contact information.
Artwork(s) List (Will likely be longer than 2 works . . . so creatively imagine this.)
1. Title: Glacial Erratic, (lucky Pennies), 2003
Dimensions: 31x37
Medium/Media: Iris Print on somerset velvet
Price: NFS/ Insurance value: $ 5,000
2. Title: Glacial Erratic, (Nor’ easter), 2003
Dimensions: 31x37
Medium/Media: Iris Print on somerset velvet
Price: NFS/ Insurance value: $ 5,000