Hello! I contacted our writer Paul Dorrell regarding the gallery information that you provided and here is his response. David

Dear Reader:

I can only respond as a gallery owner whose policies are more traditional.  In my space, we charge painters a 50% commission, sculptors a 40% commission.  Artists share no expenses with us beyond magazine advertising.  We pay for postcards, mailings and wine at the openings.  Painters pay for frames, sculptors for bases if those apply.  Beyond that, it's up to us through marketing, art consulting and sales to make our profit--no mean feat if you don't utilize framing as a backup, and we don't.

The situation you describe in Columbus is becoming more common in certain galleries, though it is still the exception.  These don't seem to be steep fees, and are likely reasonable give the gallery's overhead, and modest commission they charge.  In the end, the aspect that should determine your decision is will this move advance your career, will you sell more work, and will you profit?  If so, go ahead and give it a try.  If not, don't.

How can you determine this?  You can't for certain in advance.  But you can ask for the contact information of three artists who have been with the gallery for several years, and see how they've fared.  The fact that the gallery has been in business for eighteen years is a good sign, assuming they've been profitable during that time, and that the business hasn't been a hobby for wealthy collectors who don't have to make a living from it.  However if they haven't turned a profit for their artists, or advanced their careers, I would advise caution.

Bonne chance.

Paul Dorrell
Founder, Leopold Gallery