How long do galleries keep slides?

elle2 · #1 10-02-2002, 11:12 PM

I'm new to sending out slides for viewing by galleries. What is a reasonable lenth of time to expect a gallery to keep them for inspection?

I'd really appreciate any help from someone with experience.

timelady · #2 10-06-2002, 01:57 PM

There are several answers really...

1. If they know you and have them for your show, etc. --- You just ask for them back after the exhibition, or ask how long they'd like to keep them and for what purpose (ie. to show customers that may ask about your work after the show, for advertising, a catalog, etc.)

2. If you know when they review for exhibitions (many galleries review ALL submissions once a year) --- Then after their review date, usually along with your letter of acceptance/rejection. For instance, the gallery where my studio is reviews things very briefly as they come in (for about 5 minutes) and will send them back if there's no chance of exhibition - we would expect an SASE though. If we like it but aren't sure we'd keep it until Janauary when we schedule the year's exhibitions. We may acknowledge receipt of them, particularly if the artist is on email, if we remember to do so before another staff member puts them in the Future Exhibitions folder. After that they gather dust until Jan.

3. If you have no idea and sent them blindly and DIDN'T include a self-addressed stamped envelope for their return --- follow it up. Galleries are under no obligation to return slides and may even throw them away.

I've been sending out CDs of images and have received one of the last set of 15 that I sent out. I included SASEs and expect maybe half of them to be returned. If I'm lucky.

Tina.

ac_onion · #3 08-19-2003, 08:16 PM

Hi. I'm also new to the business of exhibiting in galleries. I was wondering if they actually project these slides to view them? I ask because I was thinking of sending them in glass mounts to protect them. Is this advisable or would they prefer not? ...And is it actually preferable to send cds rather than slides, or does every gallery have a different preference? Thnks.

ac_onion · #4 08-19-2003, 08:22 PM

Also, one other thought (sorry, I'm new to posting also). Would 2-1/4" or 4 x 5 chromes be even more preferable than slides, cds? Although I suppose if there's a chance that they'd throw them out even with the SASE then these larger chromes, although impressive, would be a big waste of money...

timelady · #5 08-20-2003, 05:39 AM

Just from my experience -
Plastic slides are best, many galleries and comps over here will not accept glass. Most galleries view through a slide-viewer, not projected. Large competitions often project because it's a jury viewing. And yes, it's still likely they could throw away chromes or just file them away without sending them back.

Basically - never send something you would hate to lose. If you're really worried and are sending unsolicited it's best to ring them up and ask what they'd prefer (and if the accept information from artists). I've started not including SASEs with my CDRoms because I worked out that the CD and sleeve is *cheaper* to make again than the envelope and return postage stamp! (I only send CDs to galleries that have websites or email addresses, which sort of indicates they have a computer at the gallery.)

Dont make it more expensive on yourself than you have to.

Tina.

ac_onion · #6 08-20-2003, 09:26 PM

by slide viewer do you mean a light table or one of those little hand-held things that you put each slide into one at a time to view?

also, do most galleries prefer that you mail them your slides or do they want to see you present the slides in person?

thanks timelady. it's great to get comments from someone so experienced, helpful and friendly. i feel lucky to have stumbled upon the wetcanvas forums...

timelady · #7 08-21-2003, 11:44 AM

Wish I could say.

I don't often send slides. Very rarely, and usually only for competitions so they just get posted. My experience with galleries is one of two - either I walk in and chat to them and then send images later (photos usually) or I just mail them blindly. In the latter case I either email or send a CDRom or photographs. I have professional-looking photographs (that I take myself) or if they have a web or email address I take the risk that they will have a computer and send a CD (much cheaper option!).

So basically, I don't follow all my own advice!

I do try to visit galleries before bombarding them - I take days off and do a hit and run style visit of a dozen or so galleries in a day to see what their style is like. So I suppose I'm not mailing them completely blindly. If I can't visit the gallery, I at least try to visit their website to see if my work would fit in. As someone who screens emails for 2 galleries there's nothing more frustrating than an artist who sends work that is obviously not appropriate for the gallery. (i.e. coloured pencil drawings of hamsters for a contemporary abstract gallery! Yes, that has happened!! haha!)

Tina.

lake_erie_lampwork · #8 10-21-2003, 01:24 AM

Its 1:22 am here in Ohio and I cant sleep, the comment about the hamsters had me laughing so hard my sides ache. I am new here at WC and relatively new to the art world. I am SO glad to know that CD's have replaced and are being used instead of slides. I have never seen an actual slide. I cant tell you how helpful all this info is to us newbies

timelady · #9 10-21-2003, 05:43 AM

Not that I don't want to promote CDs but as always I do recommend you decide based on what you see in galleries in your area. I'm sure I've sent CDs to galleries that haven't been able or willing to view them. That's fine with me because the cost of a CD is less than the cost of a stamp! Whatever you send you always run the risk that it's not acceptable if you haven't done your research.

Tina.

arlene · #10 10-21-2003, 11:29 PM

here in the us most galleries don't want walk-ins.

Mia27 · #11 12-19-2003, 10:05 AM

I'm getting slides made of my paintings and was wondering how many original slides should I get of each painting. Considering that galleries might not always return slides, in your experience, how many do you recommend making of each painting in order to send to galleries.

Thanks.

timelady · #12 12-21-2003, 01:25 PM

Depends how many galleries you're submitting to - I would get that many copies and an extra set or two in case something crops up. Then if I get some back, great. If not, I get more made. Someone who does a lot of slide submissions might have better advice. I do very few only for selected things.

(Oh, and as for the comment on walk-ins... since I'm the only one I think who mentioned visiting galleries, I don't walk in and ask them anything about submitting. Just walk in and see the gallery, look at the art, mentally gauge how/if mine would fit in. Hopefully galleries don't mind actual visitors to see the shows.

)

Tina.

Salute to our Partners